SYDNEY, Australia – Marking its 25th anniversary, the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club proudly announces The Echess Championship: The Road to Al Ain, powered by Checkmate Live. This landmark tournament invites online chess enthusiasts and competitors worldwide to participate. Open to players of all levels, both rated and unrated, the championship includes regional qualifiers across multiple skill levels. The competition will reach its pinnacle in the prestigious Grand Final held in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, on December 22, 2024.
About the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club
Founded in 1999 and led by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Sultan bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan—President of the Asian Chess Federation and the Emirati Esports Federation—the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club has become a cornerstone of international chess, renowned for its achievements and contributions to the global chess community. Recognized for its commitment to excellence and competitive integrity, the club has fostered a vibrant chess culture in the UAE and beyond, culminating in notable victories, including winning the 2024 FIDE World Rapid Team Championship. This legacy underscores the club’s standing as a leading institution in international chess and highlights its dedication to advancing the game on a global scale.
As the club marks its 25th anniversary, it invites partners and players from around the world to join in an epic celebration alongside the Asian Amateur Chess Championship 2024. This celebration will be highlighted by an epic echess knockout tournament on Checkmate Live’s platform, styled after the high-energy, immersive format of esports competitions. The live final in Al Ain, UAE, on December 22, 2024, will showcase top talent in a dramatic showdown. The Grand Final will be held at the official venue, Danat Al Ain Resort. The club’s strategic partnership with Checkmate Live, a next-gen online broadcast and tournament platform, reinforces its vision for the future and underscores its dedication to advancing competitive chess and mind sports on a global scale.
The Road to Al Ain: A Global Chess Journey
The Road to Al Ain invites players from across the globe to participate in a series of online qualifiers beginning on November 23, 2024, with skill-level divisions for Under 2000, Under 2300, and Open categories. Open to both rated and unrated players, these qualifiers will lead to the four Regional Finals, scheduled for December 7-8, 2024. Top contenders will advance to the Grand Final on December 22, 2024, in Al Ain.
Key tournament highlights include:
- Global Inclusion: Open to both rated and unrated players, with divisions for Under 2000, Under 2300, and Open categories.
- Redemption Games: Players who do not qualify in their designated Elo division will have multiple opportunities to participate. If a player doesn’t qualify in their first attempt, they can enter additional qualifiers within their division or compete in higher Elo categories, creating thrilling opportunities for unexpected victories and upsets as competitors from all levels strive to advance.
- Bonus Rewards: Special prizes and rewards for female players, newcomers, and sportsmanship honorees.
- Continental Representation: Regional qualifiers hosted across four major time zones, each with four qualifiers per Elo division:
- AO: Asia and Oceania
- EAS: Europe and Southern Africa
- MENTA: Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey
- AM: Americas
- Generous Prizes: A total prize pool of $60,000 USD, including $35,000 in distributed prizes (USDC and in-game currency) throughout the tournament stages from Checkmate Live, with an additional $25,000 USD for the four-player Double Elimination Grand Final in Al Ain.
- Travel costs covered: Al Ain CMG is providing flights, five-star accommodation, and meals in Al Ain for all Grand Final participants.
- Flexible Timing: Qualifiers are scheduled based on each player’s registered country to accommodate various time zones, ensuring global participation at convenient times.
- Travel and Accommodation: Finalists advancing to Al Ain will receive complimentary flights and accommodations, with the tournament’s Grand Final hosted at the luxurious Danat Al Ain Resort.
Tournament Schedule and Structure
Key Dates
- Weekend Qualifiers: November 23-24 and November 30 – December 1, 2024
- Regional Finals: December 7-8, 2024 (four regional finals across major time zones)
- The Road to Al Ain Grand Final: December 22, 2024, Danat Al Ain Resort, Al Ain
Stage 1 – Online Qualifiers
The Online Qualifiers will consist of a 3+2 Blitz Swiss-format tournament (9 rounds) designed to advance top players from each division to the Regional Finals. The structure is as follows:
- Under 2000 Division: Four qualification tournaments will be held, with the top four players from each tournament advancing to the Regional Finals.
- Under 2300 Division: Four qualification tournaments will be held, with the top four players from each tournament advancing to the Regional Finals.
- Open Division: Four qualification tournaments will be held, with the top eight players from each tournament advancing to the Regional Finals.
Stage 2 – Four Regional Finals
Each zone—AO (Asia and Oceania), EAS (Europe and Southern Africa), MENTA (Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey), and AM (Americas)—will host a 3+2 Blitz single-elimination head-to-head KO tournament. In each zone, a total of 64 players (16 from the Under 2000, 16 from the Under 2300, and 32 from the Open division) will compete, with the top player from each region ultimately advancing to the Grand Final.
Each matchup will consist of two games. In the event of a tie, an Armageddon game will determine the winner, ensuring a decisive outcome for each head-to-head encounter.
Stage 3 – Grand Final
The four regional champions will compete in a Double Elimination Knockout format to crown the tournament champion in Al Ain. These finalists will battle head-to-head for the title and a share of the additional $25,000 USD prize pool.
Grand Final Details
The Grand Final on December 22 will showcase a fast-paced double-elimination showdown among the four regional champions at the Danat Al Ain Resort. Participants will contend for significant cash prizes while experiencing the cultural richness of Al Ain, one of the UAE’s oldest and most cherished cities.
Registration Details
Registration opens on November 15, 2024. Players interested in competing can register at Checkmate.live. Don’t miss the chance to join this landmark event and experience the thrill of high-stakes competitive chess.
An Invitation to Chess Enthusiasts Everywhere
“The Road to Al Ain” is a celebration of unity, excellence, and global camaraderie. Whether you’re a seasoned grandmaster or a passionate amateur, this tournament offers a unique opportunity to be part of a legacy event. Registration is now open, and we invite all chess enthusiasts to embark on this journey to the Super Grand Final in Al Ain.
The Road to Al Ain: Your Destination for Competitive Chess Awaits!
Website: https://www.checkmate.live
Tournament information: https://www.checkmate.live/insights-and-updates
Ruleset: https://playbook.checkmate.live/echess-rulesets/the-road-to-al-ain
Contact:
Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club
Hesham Ali Al Taher
CEO, Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club
Secretary General of the Asian Chess Federation
asianchessfederation@yahoo.com
Checkmate Live
David Jenns MA LLM FRGS
Director International Relations
+971506180752
david@whitewolfconsultancy.com
John McRae
Managing Director
Checkmate Live
john@checkmate.live
+61421001766
*Prize pool subject to official terms and conditions.