Emirati Salem Abdul Rahman shines in the ASEAN Electronic Chess Championship

Sharjah, June 14, 2017 – International Grand Master Salem Abdul Rahman, a player for the UAE national team and the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club, achieved a new achievement for Emirati chess by achieving fifth place in the ASEAN Electronic Chess Championship, which was held in the Thai capital, Bangkok, with the participation of 22 players from the elite masters of the game in the world, led by Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen.

The tournament was held with the support of the Thai Chess Federation and government digital innovation initiatives as part of efforts to promote mental sports and take advantage of modern technologies. It formed a unique platform that combines the ancient strategy of chess with the atmosphere of advanced electronic competitions, which contributed to attracting an elite group of the most prominent players on the international scene.

Salem Abdul Rahman gave an outstanding performance during the tournament, leading the second group with 3.5 points after achieving three victories and one draw without any loss, confirming his technical readiness and ability to compete with the biggest stars of the game.

The UAE champion continued his brilliance in the group stage, benefiting from his great experience and distinguished mental presence, to succeed in reaching the quarter-finals well-deservedly and once again prove his position among the most prominent chess players on the Asian continent.

In the quarter-finals, Salem fought a strong confrontation against the great Mexican international master Martinez Alcantara, which ended in favor of the Mexican player, stopping his career at this round before clinching fifth place in the overall standings of the tournament.

This achievement reflects the continued presence of Emirati chess in international forums and confirms the prestigious position enjoyed by Salem Abdul Rahman on the global stage, as one of the most prominent Arab and Asian players capable of competing in the strongest international tournaments and facing the elite stars of the game.

Faisal Al Hammadi, a member of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club, praised the result achieved by Salem Abdul Rahman in the tournament, stressing that the player continues to represent Emirati chess in an honorable manner in various international forums.

Al Hammadi said that Salem Abdul Rahman is one of the most prominent ambassadors of Emirati chess, and what he achieved in a tournament that witnessed the participation of an elite group of the best players in the world confirms his great artistic stature and his constant ability to compete at the highest levels, expressing pride in the distinguished performance he presented throughout the tournament, especially after topping his group without any loss, which reflects the amount of experience and professionalism he enjoys.

He stressed the keenness of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club to provide all means of support to distinguished players so that they continue to achieve achievements, raise the name of the UAE and the Sharjah Club in continental and international tournaments, and enhance the presence of Emirati chess on the international scene.

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