UAE’s first-ever Woman Grandmaster Rouda to play in Norway Chess Open

In a bid to encourage chess players in the Middle East and provide a platform at the global stage, the organisers of Norway Chess — one of the most prestigious tournaments in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) calendar — invited the Emirate’s first-ever female Grandmaster Rouda Essa Alserkal to participate in the Norway Chess Open 2025 which will see participation from 31 countries.

The 15-year-old Rouda was formally presented with the invitation by Kjell Madland, Managing Director and visionary behind Norway Chess, in a press event held at the Seven Seas Hotel in Dubai on Wednesday.

Also present on the occasion was Dr Mansoor Al Tamimi, Vice-Chairman of Technical Committee at Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games.

Koneru Humpy, two-time women’s world rapid chess champion, also joined virtually and wished Rouda ahead of her upcoming events.

The Norway Chess Open 2025 will be held from May 26 to June 1 at the IMI Forum in Stavanger, attracting both grandmasters and ambitious chess players seeking title norms and valuable competitive experience.

With previous participants like reigning World Champion Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa, and Vaishali, who participated in the Norway Chess Open as budding players before their meteoric rise in the sport, the event has established itself as an essential arena for players seeking high-level competition.

Speaking about providing this unique opportunity for Rouda, Madland expressed, “Norway Chess is delighted to invite Rouda (Essa Alserkal) to participate in this year’s Norway Chess Open 2025.

“I congratulate Rouda on the remarkable feat to become the first Woman Grandmaster from the UAE and she stands tall as an inspiration for women in this region to achieve. The Norway Chess Open provides a great opportunity for Grandmasters and chess players to hone their skills and gain competitive exposure.

“We hope to find and encourage many future chess stars from the Middle East to play in the Norway Chess Open.”

Madland further highlighted the importance of growing chess as a competitive sport in the Middle East and expressed interest in creating further synergies with potential partners in the UAE.

“We are exploring the possibility of hosting Norway Chess tournament in the Middle East and potential partners are welcome to connect with us. We are also working to broadcast Norway Chess live to the fans in the Middle East,” he said.

In the Norway Chess Open category, leading the list of participants is Rinat Jumbayev (KAZ), followed by strong contenders such as Gergely Kantor (HUN), Valentin Dragnev (AUT), Vitaly Kunin (GER), Norwegian Frode Urkedal (NOR), and Chinese grandmaster Jiner Zhu (CHN).

Expressing her excitement to participate in the Norway Chess Open 2025, Rouda said, “I am looking forward to the competition as I know Norway Chess is the strongest grooming ground for future chess superstars.

“When I first heard that I am getting invited for the Norway Chess Open, I could not believe it and I was so thrilled, I told my coach immediately - that I need to start preparing. This is the most prestigious tournament in the world and I am sure this experience will help me improve my game further.”

“I am also greatly looking forward to meet Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, also some of the Indian players like the new World Champion Gukesh who will be participating in the Norway Chess 2025,” she added.

The Norway Chess Open features double rounds on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30, providing excellent opportunities for title norms in the top group.

In the Grandmaster category, which Rouda has been invited to participate, will have nine rounds, opportunity for title norms and a prize fund of €13,000.

Last year, Carlsen won his sixth Norway Chess title, while Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun emerged victorious in the inaugural women’s event.

Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women, feature the same format and same prize money.

Both tournaments follow a six-player double round-robin format.