UAE's Serkal becomes Gulf’s 1st eve grandmaster

The UAE Chess Federation announced that Rouda Al Serkal, a player on the national team and the Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games, has been awarded the title of "Women Grandmaster" by the International Chess Federation.

Al Serkal received the title after winning the Arab Women's Championship held at the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club last November, making her the first Emirati and Gulf player to achieve this prestigious recognition.

Kholood Al Zarouni, Chair of the Federation's Women's Committee, thanked the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club, emphasizing that this achievement is the result of cooperation among all sports entities with the Federation. She praised the significant role played by the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club in developing players of both genders.

Al Zarouni emphasized that this achievement represents a significant morale boost for women's chess, opens the door to further international titles, and motivates young players to continue training and participating. She noted that Rouda is a model of the ideal player who has achieved numerous titles and always aims for greater goals.

Al Serkal confirmed that receiving the title of "Women Grandmaster" from the International Chess Federation represents strong motivation for the UAE to achieve global recognition in chess.

The 16-year-old Al Serkal said she looks forward to competing for titles during her upcoming participation in the Asian Individual Chess Championship at the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club, to be held from May 6 to 15, and the World Youth and Women's Championships in July 2025, and to ensure the country's strong presence in international forums.

She noted that Emirati women have reached the highest international levels in sports and other competitive fields, thanks to the support and attention of the wise leadership and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, "Mother of the Emirates," Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.

Serkal acknowledged the tangible role of the UAE Chess Federation in organizing tournaments and supporting the ambitions of players, as well as the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club in developing the capabilities of all its members through advanced programs, attracting the best coaches, and providing optimal conditions for players to participate in competitions.

She praised her family's support in helping her participate in training and tournaments, and commended her primary school "AlMawaheb" and its officials for their efforts in supporting and advancing her talent.

Some of Rouda’s achievements:

At the age of five, Roudha won the Asian Championship Under-6, which has earned her a status as a rising national star.

As she grew older, her accomplishments only multiplied - she won the Under-20 UAE Championship at eight, the World Cadets Championship Under-8 in 2017, the World Schools Under-9 in 2018, he bronze medal in the Asian Youth Under 14 category, the Jeddah Open Tournament and Arab Women Champion multiple times.

She has also been crowned the World Champion in the Solving Puzzles Category C and the West Asian Champion, among numerous other titles.

Chess is one of the fastest growing sports in the UAE. Many FIDE sanctioned tournaments are held in the UAE every year. A lot of youngsters are taking up chess professional sports in the country.

Of late, UAE has become a hub of the sports with world class events like T20 Cricket World Cup, Asia Cup, IPL and MME fights taking place in the country along with FIFA World Cup and Cricket World Cup qualifiers taking place almost round the year.

Recently, ICC champions Trophy was held in the UAE when India refused to travel to Pakistan due to the political tension between the two countries.