The Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club (ACMG1) team of Russian Grandmasters Vladislav Artemiev and Volodar Murzin topped undefeated the UAE Cup Rapid Chess Team Championship held over the weekend of 15th and 16th March 2025 at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club in Dubai, UAE. In photo are, from left, ACMG CEO Hisham Al Taher, GM Volodar Murzin, UAE Chess Federation president Taryam Matar Taryam and GM Vladislav Artemiev.
The Al Ain team won seven matches and drew two in nine rounds to tally 16 match points. Artemiev, 27, had a perfect score of 9 out of 9 while Murzin, 19, the reigning World Rapid Chess Champion, won 7 and lost 2 games. ACMG1 team won the top prize of 12,000 dirhams out of a total of 40,000 dirhams in cash prizes sponsored by National Paint and Sidrat Alsalwa Beauty Centre.
Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.
The second place Shams team receive their prize. From left are Hisham Al Taher, GM Viorel Iordachescu of Moldova, UAE Chess Federation president Taryam Matar Taryam and IM Mokhliss El Adnani of Morocco.
The Shams team of GM Viorel Iordachescu of Moldova and IM Mokhliss El Adnani of Morocco finished second place with 15 match points for second prize of 8,000 dirhams. Iordachescu registered a 7-2-1 win-draw-loss slate while El Adnani won 5, drew 2 and lost 2 games.
The third place Sharjah team received their prize. From left are Hisham Al Taher, GM Bassem Amin of Egypt, UAE Chess Federation president Taryam Matar Taryam and GM Saleh A.R. Salem of the UAE.
The Sharjah team of GM Saleh A.R. Salem of the UAE and GM Bassem Amiin of Egypt followed in third place with 14 match points for 6,000 dirhams. Salem scored 6 wins and 3 losses while Amin scored 7 wins, one draw and one loss. The Sharjah team prevailed in the tie break over Al Ain Chess and Mind Games ACMG2 and Signature Club Master with similar 14 match points apiece.
ACMG2 was composed of GMs Danil Dubov (second from right) of Russia and Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran (second from left). Dubov, known for his sacrificial style, won 7 games but lost to Salem and Artemiev. At left is Tournament Director IA Abdulrahim Mahdi.
Playing for Signature Club Master were GM Farrukh Amonatov of Tajikistan and GM Asghar Golizadeh of Iran.
Rounding up the top ten teams were We Chess, Sharjah Coaches, Al Ain ACMG3, EKCC1 and Signature Club Nexus at 13 match points each. Fourth to tenth places received AED2,500, AED2,000, AED1,700, AED1,300, AED1,100, aed1,000 and AED900, respectively.
A record 116 teams composed of players from 33 countries participated in the Swiss system tournament with Rapid time control of ten minutes plus two second increments per move. Prizes were sponsored by National Paint and Sidrat Alsalwa Beauty Centre. A large number of fans were present to watch the exciting rapid chess games.
Teams were composed of two players each. Fourteen top ranked Grandmasters and ten International Masters saw action.
Special awards were given. Gold medal for most number of teams went to Chess Lab Academy as Participating Chess Club/Academy, silver to Chess Signature Academy, and bronze to Master Move Academy.
Ajman Twins won Best Family Team, Tatar Ladies won Best Women’s Team, UAE Ladies won best Emirati Women’s Team, AlQasimia University 1 won Best Emirati Men’s Team, Night Riders won Best Boys’ Team Under 14, The Twins won Best Girls’ Team Under 14 and DCPD won Best Special Needs Team.
UAE Chess Federation president Taryam Matar Taryam graced the closing ceremonies to award prizes together with Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club CEO Hisham Al Taher.
IA Abdulrahim Mahdi (UAE) was Tournament Director. Majed Al Abduli (UAE) was Chief Arbier with a team of 8 arbiters while Mohamed Abdull was Technical Director.
Photos by Rayjan Solano