With deep sorrow we learned of the demise of a long-time friend of chess, Mr. Emad Ghalayini.
Emad was one of the original founders of chess in the UAE. As Technical Secretary of the UAE Chess Federation, he helped start chess clubs around the UAE – in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah to start the chess movement here.
He made his mark in Asian and World chess. Emad thrice organized the Asian Cities Chess Team Championship in the 1990s in Dubai and he was Chief Organizer of the World Juniors Chess Championship 1985 in Sharjah and Chief Arbiter of the Chess Olympiad 1986 in Dubai.
Asian Chess Federation recognized his achievements in the first Asian Chess Excellence Awards in 2014. In photo below, Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan and former FIDE President Kirsan Iljumzhinov presented Emad Ghalayini the Meritorious Service Award together with Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher (right).
Sheikh Sultan extended sincere condolences to the family of Emad Ghalayini on behalf of the Asian Chess Community.