Saleh dominates Sharjah Rapid Chess and Blitz Championships, FIDE President Dvorkovich graces closing and awards ceremony

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The 26th edition of the Sharjah Rapid International Chess Championship 2021 started on Thursday and ended on Saturday.

It was held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and took place at the Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club.

The closing ceremony of the 26th edition of the Sharjah Rapid International Chess Championship 2021 was graced by Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulaziz Almualla, Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club and President of the Arab Chess Federation, and was also attended by Arab Chess Federation Deputy President & FIDE Trainers’ Commission Member Sami Khader, Vice-President of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation & President of the Central Asian Chess Region Husan Turdaliev, President of the UAE Chess Federation Dr. Sarhan Hassan Al Muaini and other members of the club’s Board of Directors and a large group of guests and sports officials.

Sheikh Saoud lauded by the unwavering support of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Sheikh Saoud congratulated the winners and thanked FIDE (World Chess Federation) President Arkady Dvorkovich for joining the ceremony virtually. “Despite the difficult times due to ongoing coronavirus pandemic which has affected the world and sports in particular, the Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club management successfully hosted its 26th edition of the Sharjah Rapid International Chess Championship 2021, with the cooperation of the Sports Council, the Crisis and Emergency Management in Sharjah and the Sharjah Police”, said Sheikh Saoud.

He added that: “The club took all preventive and precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the players.”

Sheikh Saoud also thanked and appreciated the organising committee for the success of the championship.

FIDE President Dvorkovich, who attended the closing ceremony virtually through Zoom, hailed Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club officials and spoke to the participants of the 26th Sharjah Rapid International Chess Tournament 2021, stating that it was of a great importance that the event took place over-the-board.

He promised continually strong cooperation between FIDE and the Arab Chess Federation. Mr. Dvorkovich was also pleased with the plans to host the fourth edition of the Sharjah Masters 2021, which is coming up in the next few months over-the-board again. He vowed to do his best to attend this prestigious event.

He also stated the importance of the FIDE World Chess Championship, which was postponed from last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and now will be held at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020, Dubai. The championship will run from Nov.24 to Dec.16, as part of Expo’s diverse calendar of events and activities.

Lewis Ncube, President of the African Chess Confederation also attended the closing ceremony and addressed the audience and he was welcomed by Sheikh Saoud.

Ncube in his address praised the success of the tournament in the organisation and confirmed the full cooperation between the Arab Chess Federation and the African Chess Confederation, to do more for the benefit of Arab and African chess players.

Grandmaster Salem Abdulrahman Mohamed Saleh emerged as the sole winner of the 26th edition of the Sharjah Rapid International Chess Championship 2021.

The top-rated UAE player in the competition collected 9 points from nine rounds and overcame the challenge of the Moroccan International Master Mokhliss El Adnani. GM Saleh also dominated the Blitz Championship, which was held on the sidelines of the tournament.

Moldavian Grandmaster Viorel Iordachescu, Efstratios Grivas, a Greek Grandmaster, FIDE Senior Trainer, International Arbiter and International Organiser, Filipino International Master Oliver Barbosa, Wadima Al Kalbani and Hisham Al Adhami were other prominent players who took part in the championship.

Sheikh Saoud also offered condolence on the sad demise of Prince Muhammad Bin Talal. Jordan’s Prince Muhammad Bin Talal, the personal representative of King Abdullah II and the former crown prince, died in Amman, on Thursday, at the age of 80.

Prince Muhammad had distinguished contributions in various social, cultural and youth fields, most notably his honorary presidency of the Chess and Archery Federation in Jordan, and his honorary Presidency of the British Karate Federation.