GM Pouya Idani and WFM Anahita Zahedifar, both of Iran, won respectively the Zone 3.1 Men’s and Women’s Zonals held 8-15 April 2025 in Erbil, Iraq, In photo, Iraqi Chess Federation president Dhafer Abdul Ameer Madhloom awards the champion’s trophies to Idani above and to Zahedifar (below).
Twenty women from five countries participated in the women’s section, namely Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and host Iraq. Anahita Zahedifar qualifies into the FIDE Women’s World Cup.
GM Bardiya Daneshvar of Iran (above) tied for first with 8.5 points to qualify together with Idani into the FIDE World Cup. The two GMs lived up to their billing as top two seeds in the field of 46 men from ten countries, namely Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and host Iraq.
Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher makes the ceremonial opening moves in the Zone 3.1 Zonal Chess Championship in Erbil, Iraq assisted by Iraqi Chess Federation president Dhafer Abdul Ameer Madhloom and first Vice president of Iraq Olypmpic Committee Abdolsalam Khalaf.
Officials in the Zone 3.1 Men’s and Women’s Zonals led by Iraqi Chess Federation president Dhafer Abdul Ameer Madhloom (seated center) and, next, Chief Arbiter Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh of Iran.