ABU DHABI — The Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games, a cornerstone of chess promotion in the UAE, is dedicated to nurturing young talent and aims to develop the country’s next generation of grandmasters.
Established in 1979, the club has made significant strides in popularizing chess and elevating its status both locally and internationally.
Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri, the club’s chairman, shared insights into the club’s ongoing efforts during the 30th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival.
“We have attracted more than 600 players from various nationalities to the club,” Al Khouri told.
He highlighted the club’s mission to cultivate a new generation of chess players, with aspirations of producing two to three grandmasters by the time Abu Dhabi hosts the Chess Olympiad in 2028.
Currently, the UAE’s top chess player is grandmaster Salem Abdulrahman Mohamed Saleh, who represents the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club.
Al Khouri noted the club’s emphasis on expanding its reach and improving local talent through extensive training programs.
“Our coaches are working with hundreds of children, which has led to a noticeable rise in Emirati players and numerous tournament victories,” he said.
The club’s approach has been to make chess accessible and engaging for young players, with an emphasis on affordability and the convenience of playing through smartphones.
The Abu Dhabi Chess Festival, an initiative of the club since 1991, has become a major platform for emerging chess talent. The festival has grown significantly over the years, earning a reputation as one of Asia’s and the Middle East’s premier chess events.
This year’s edition features over 2,200 players from 82 countries competing in more than 27 different tournaments, with a prize pool of Dh450,000.
The tournament categories are diverse, including international masters, open, junior, blitz, events for people of determination, families, ladies, seniors, academies, communities, government departments, and educational institutions.
In a notable development, this year’s festival includes an online tournament for the first time, expanding the event’s reach and accessibility.
Around 100 schools are participating, further demonstrating the festival’s commitment to involving the broader community in chess.
Al Khouri emphasized the importance of continued support from the UAE leadership and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in achieving these milestones.
“The Abu Dhabi chess festival is now a significant event on the FIDE (International Chess Federation) calendar. This edition has attracted many international players, and we are honored to be part of this global chess celebration,” he said.
The festival’s concluding event this week will also feature the FIDE centenary celebrations, with the federation’s president, Arkady Dvorkovich, in attendance.
As the Abu Dhabi Chess Club continues its mission to foster young talent and promote the sport, the festival stands as a testament to its growing influence and success on the global chess stage.