The 47th Selangor Open Chess Tournament is slated 26th to 31st May 2023 at the KL Gateway Mall in Malaysia. the Challengers Tournament shall be held in parallel for players raownoted below 1800 and unrated.
Organised by the Singapore Chess Federation, this event seeks to bring together chess lovers in this region and from around the world to celebrate the royal game of chess.
The highlight of the festival is the Professor Lim Kok Ann International Open 2023 which features some of Singapore’s best local players and strong masters from all over the region. We also have a rich array of events and activities catered to players of all levels.
Simultaneous exhibitions, beginner classes, tournaments with various time controls – there will be something of interest whether you are an experienced tournament player or someone who is new to the game.
Three teams are sharing leads in the points table with maximum 4 points each after 2nd round matches of the WALTON 1st Division Women’s Chess League-2023 sponsored by WALTON Hi-Tech Industries PLC and organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation is now being held at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room, on the 2nd floor of the old building of National Sports Council. They are: Reigning champion Bangladesh Navy, reigning runners-up Bangladesh Police & Shahin Chess Club.
2nd round matches were held 23rd March. In the 2nd round: Bangladesh Navy beat Basir Memorial Chess Club by 4-0 game points. Wadfa Ahmed, WCM Ahmed Walijah, WFM Noshin Anjum and Kazi Zarin Tasnim of Bangladesh Navy won against Kaumudi Nargis, Afroza Hoque Chowdhury, Mahjabbeen Islam and Fahmida Afroze of Basir Memorial Chess Club respectively.
Bangladesh Police beat Uttara Central Chess Club 4-0 game points. Nusrat Jahan Alo, Indian WGM Srija Seshadri, WFM Tanima Parenn and WGM Velavan Varshini of Bangladesh Police won against Nazmin Akter, Warisa Haider, Raiba Sobhan Adhora & Fariha Sumona of Uttara Central Chess Club.
Shahin Chess Club beat Team Barisal by 4-0 game points. Afrin Jahan Munia, Neelava Choudhury, Sabikun Nahar Tonima and Kishoara Sajrin Evana of Shahin Chess Club won against Sidratul Muntaha, Sonia Akhter, Tahira Amani & Ramisa Sayeara Mumina of Team Barisal respectively.
Basir Memorial Chess Academy drew with Sheikh Russel Chess Club by 2-2 game points. Rashma Alam and Monika Kundu of Basir Memorial Chess Academy won against Nazia Jafrin Mohona, Jarin Tasnim of Sheikh Russel Chess Club, Zowena Mehbish and Fatiha Eyenoon Diya of Sheikh Russel Chess Club won against Sayeda Nusaibah Mahmud and Dibbayangana Biswas of Basir Memorial Chess Academy respectively.
Following the invitation from the Saudi Arabia Chess Federation to participate in their board meeting represented by the new members and as per invitation from Mr Turki Al-Sheikh to meet on the occasion of Riyadh Calendar Chess Championship 2023, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich (above photo, center) and Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher (fourth from right) visited Saudi Arabia Chess Federation headed by President Dr. Abdullah Al Wahshi (fifth from left).
Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher (standing, left) and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich oversee the MOA between Saudi president Dr. Abdullah Al Wahshi (seated, left) and Egypt President Dr. Hesham Elgendy for cooperation and technical suport to the 2023 World Cadets Championship in Egypt.
FIDE President had a chance to check and test the playing conditions of the championship and praised both the venue and the organizers’ efforts. Arkady Dvorkovich used the visit as an opportunity to discuss further chess development in Saudi Arabia, reiterating FIDE’s support for children’s education, social initiatives, professional chess events and the possibility of hosting the World Teams Championship.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich in conference with Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher.
Saudi Arabia has been very supportive of the FIDE Year of Women in Chess celebration by initiating a new tradition of Queens Awards that allows paying tribute to the great personalities in women’s chess. Improving gender balance is one of the top priorities for Saudi Arabia and FIDE, which both intend to pursue in their policies and development projects.
When asked about his impressions on the Saudi Arabia Chess Federation board meeting, the future of chess in the world in Saudi Arabia in particular, FIDE President said: “I really appreciated the invitation by the Saudi Arabia Chess Federation to come to the first board meeting. The board members are very active in supporting chess in the country. We, in our turn, are ready to contribute our share to chess development in the country, supporting new initiatives, especially in chess education and training young talents and hosting big international events here in Saudi Arabia. We stimulate professional chess but also believe in the social role of our game in helping disabled and incarcerated people. We are eager to ensure a good gender balance so young girls and ladies can play chess actively. I think we can do all this together here, in Saudi Arabia.”
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Tuesday, 14 March 2023)
Checkmate.live a next-gen esports-first chess and broadcasting platform, today announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology company Tencent to accelerate Chess as an esport and bring fair play back to the game.
Checkmate is the latest initiative by VADR Media, focusing on producing and broadcasting XR linear and online chess tournaments for a new generation of players. At its heart, Checkmate is a cloud-based platform that leverages cutting-edge technology to provide the opportunity to compete for cash prizes, credits, and collectables.
Both Checkmate and Tencent Cloud share a unified vision where the convergence of media and technology can be harnessed to level up the realm of competitive play, broadcasting, and chess – one of the world’s largest sports and the next big thing in esports. Tencent Cloud, with its expertise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, anti-cheat protection, gaming, and XR, along with its global footprint, brings immense value to the table. Chess’s universal appeal serves as a unique platform that facilitates the connection of players through social and competitive play.
Checkmate will leverage a number of Tencent Cloud’s services, ranging from cloud infrastructure to its recently launched Metaverse-in-a-Box offerings to optimise its platform. At the same time, the two parties have agreed on a range of future collaborations to accelerate the game.
“From providing the best hyperscale infrastructure to creating a one-stop shop for cloud solutions, we aim to support the global esports and Metaverse community to adopt critical technologies to drive deeper connections between the virtual and real worlds,” says Leo Li, Vice President, Tencent Cloud International.
XR in event broadcasting hit an inflection point in 2020; at the same time, online Chess also saw a global boom due to the shift online, which hasn’t slowed down. Only last week, the International Olympic Committee, which recognises Chess as a sport, also recognised Chess’s role as an esport with the addition of the game to its 2023 Olympic Esports Series.
An estimated 700 million people play the 1500-year-old skill-based game, making it the world’s largest esport and sport. It is estimated that up to 420 million of these players are aged between 18-34, which mirrors esports.
“It’s fair to say were delighted This will be an exciting era for the world of chess; Tencent and Tencent Cloud, have years of experience in the fields of gaming, media and cloud services. Their technical prowess and global footprint accelerate our shared vision. This capability, combined with the rapid acceleration of AI, has unlocked new opportunities for broadcasters to engage and immerse players and fans.”, said John McRae, Managing Director of VADR Media.
The partnership was announced at the conclusion of the Inaugural Asian Chess Federation Summit in Abu Dhabi, where McRae was invited as the keynote speaker.
The Asian Chess Federation recently announced its strategic partnership with Checkmate as exclusive online data, broadcast and tournament platform. His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahayan, a member of the Abu Dhabi Ruling Family, is President of The Asian Chess Federation. During the opening of the summit, Sheikh Sultan announced.
“I am particularly delighted to welcome Mr John McRae, who will guide us through our journey into the digital world with integrity. As we navigate the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of technology and digital innovation, Mr McRae’s expertise will be invaluable in helping us to leverage the power of technology while staying true to the values of sportsmanship and fair play that lie at the heart of our game.”
Checkmate is also the exclusive online data, broadcast and tournament platform for the Arab Esports Federation. The two international Federations represent 71 national chess and esports Federations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East (and GCC) and Oceania.
About Tencent Cloud
Tencent Cloud, one of the world’s leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through its extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT and network security. Its constant mission is to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel and transportation.
The Asian Chess Federation (ACF) is the international governing body of chess across the Asian Continent. Its membership comprises 53 national associations across Asia, the Middle East ( and GCC) and Oceania.
VADR is an Australian-UAE-based executive production firm that produces and promotes new media, sports and entertainment. The project is VADR’s second major play in the gaming and esports space following the sale of Let’s Play Live, Oceania’s largest esports platform and linear and online broadcaster.
A FIDE Trainers’ Online Seminar is scheduled 17-19 March 2023, organized by the Asian Chess Federation in cooperation with the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess under the supervision of the FIDE Trainers’ Commission.
The Organizing Committee has the honor to invite players to the 29th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, an annual event, which includes numerous FIDE registered tournaments. It will be held in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, from 3rd until 14th August 2023. Download Regulations ADCF 29
Masters Tournament: Open to all Fide rated players with standard rating of 2300 ELO and above “Exception Abu Dhabi Chess Club players” (as of 1st Jun 2023). The tournament will be 9 rounds Swiss System with a time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds’ increment. 30 minutes tolerance will be applied. The organizing committee shall provide free accommodation in a five-star hotel for players rated 2600+ and women with standard Elo of 2400+ (prior approval from the committee is needed to guarantee the accommodation, only for limited players, in order of registration.
Open Tournament A: FIDE Rated Open for players with ELO 2299 and below (as of 1st Jun 2023,). The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move. 30 minutes tolerance will be applied, FIDE ID is required.
Open Tournament B: FIDE Rated Open for players with ELO 2000 and below (as of 1st Jun 2023,). The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move. 30 minutes tolerance will be applied, FIDE ID is required.
Juniors Tournament (under 16 years): FIDE Rated Open for players born in 2007 or later. The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with time control of 70 min for each player for the whole game. 30 minutes tolerance will be applied, FIDE ID is required.
*Juniors can play at same time the Open tournament.
Juniors Blitz Tournament (under 16): FIDE Rated Open for players born in 2006 or later; Swiss system, 9 rounds, 3 min + 2 sec increment.
Simultaneous exhibition: Held by a renowned international GM. Open for Abu Dhabi Chess Club players only.
Frontline Heroes Chess tournament: Open to members of military, police and national service, health workers in the UAE. Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 5 minutes + 5 seconds’ increment. Free Registration
Family Team Tournament: Open for teams of 2 players (player + one parent Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 5 minutes + 5 seconds.). Free Registration
Senior Chess Tournament: Open for players aged 55 years and above. Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 5 minutes + 5 seconds increment. Free registration
Abu Dhabi Chess Academy Tournament: Open for Under 18 (born 2004 and after) school students or chess academies students based in UAE (UAE Residents). Swiss system, 7 rounds, 5 minutes + 5 seconds increment.
The finals of the 74th Singapore National Chess Championships concluded on 12 February 2023. This tournament, with a total prize fund of S$15,000, spanned over three long weekends, with one round held each day.
The National Championships has a rich history dating back to 1949 when it was first won by the founder of the Singapore Chess Federation, Professor Lim Kok Ann. Over time, the Championships have created many legends, most notably Mr Tan Lian Ann, who has won this tournament a record-breaking ten times in his career. This year’s edition was arguably the strongest in history, with GM Tin Jingyao (pictured below) as its top seed.
Tin Jingyao, a 5-time national champion, has made waves on the local and international chess circuit of late and was the pre-tournament favourite, but Grandmaster Kevin Goh Wei Ming, the defending champion Andrean Susilodinata and Singapore’s top female player Gong Qianyun were also gunning for the title. Singapore’s first Grandmaster and a 4-time Champion, Wong Meng Kong, also made a surprise return from retirement, making this the first tournament in Singapore history to feature all 3 Singaporean homegrown Grandmasters.
The tournament also allowed young players to participate through a series of qualifiers. The youngest candidate to qualify was 7-year-old Ashwath Kaushik (pictured above), well-known on the local scene for giving players older than him a difficult time over the board. Ashwath is more than half the size of his fellow competitors; he brings around a booster cushion to be placed on his seat so that he can see the board and move the chess pieces.
This year’s Championships also saw the Women’s Category merging with the Open in a combined event for the first time in 13 years. Woman Grandmaster Gong Qianyun (pictured above), who recently emerged 13th in the World Rapid Chess Championships, quipped, “I like to challenge myself and enjoy playing against male GMs and IMs – for me, it is less stressful compared to playing with ladies.” She also has the following advice for female players playing in a field dominated by men: “Just focus on the game itself – do not get distracted by other things, and you will not be intimidated by your opponents.”
At the end of a long and grueling tournament, it was GM Kevin Goh (pictured above) who emerged as the champion, winning his 8th National Championship title. Gong Qianyun also became a 9-time National Woman’s Champion by finishing as the highest finisher among female players. However, she admitted that the path was far from easy. Qianyun said, “It was a difficult tournament competing with many young and promising players, and fortunately for me, I managed to pull through with a narrow margin over my competitors.”
“I believe many of these young players will continue to improve, and next year’s tournament will be even stronger.”
By winning this title, Qianyun also gains custody of the Chan Lai Fung challenge trophy for one year, named after WIM Chan Lai Fung for her accomplishments in Singapore chess and her generous contribution to Singapore Chess in many ways.
Final standings
Open:
1st – GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming
2nd – IM Enrique Paciencia
3rd – GM Tin Jingyao
The inauguration of the first Bahrain Chess Championship was an overwhelming success, and it is set to become a highly anticipated event in the future.
The first Bahrain Chess Championship was held in 2023 and was a great success! The event brought together Bahraini chess players from all over the country, and it was a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the game. The future of the Bahrain Chess Championship looks bright, and we are looking forward to next year’s edition!
With the support of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, we are confident that the Bahraini Chess Federation will continue to grow and bring out the best from Bahrain’s vast pool of talent. The team is committed to creating a vibrant and friendly atmosphere for all participants so that everyone can come together to enjoy the game of chess. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this amazing game!
HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa at Bahrain Chess School Tournament in 2022
The Bahraini Chess Federation is proud to be at the forefront of promoting chess in the country and will continue to strive towards cultivating an environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to enjoy the game. We hope that the First Bahrain Chess Championship 2023 will set a strong foundation for the success of future tournaments and events, and with HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the helm, we look forward to an exciting future!
The establishment of the Bahraini Chess Federation after HH Shaikh Khalid issued an edict to register the Bahraini Chess Federation.
In Feb 2023, the first Bahrain Chess Championship has taken place, marking a milestone in the history of chess in Bahrain. This has been made possible due to the edict issued in Jan 2023 by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, which led to the formation of the Bahraini Chess Federation. The rise of chess in Bahrain is owing to his efforts and dedication that have enabled people from all across Bahrain to come together and enjoy this popular board game. It promises to be an exciting event with an interesting mix-up of local talent and international experts. By bringing these diverse communities together and encouraging them to participate in the championship, HH Shaikh Khalid has created an opportunity for everyone to interact and learn from each other as well as foster a sense of unity in the Bahrain chess community.
His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee
The formation of the Board of Directors for the Bahraini Chess Federation is a major step forward in securing a solid foundation and future for this beloved game. Led by Khaled Burhan Al-Din Muhammad Al-Awadi, The Board of Directors hopes to ensure that all chess players have access to resources, training, and events to bring out their full potential. With the formation of the Board, chess in Bahrain is expected to flourish over the next few years and become a major international destination for competitive players.
From Left: Dr. Khaled Al-Awadi (President of Bahrain Chess Federation) and Abdulla Aldoseri (Head of Communication Committee)
The appointment of Aisha Abdullah Mutaiwee as Vice-President of the Federation and the membership of the Board of Directors to each of Ebrahim Ali Ibrahim Al Burshid, Nora Abdul Jabbar Qassem Khonji, Muhammad Shaker Hamid Hassan, Ammar Jasser Yousef Al Shamsi, and Abdullah Muhammad Khaled Rabia Al Dosari is a testament to the dedication of these individuals in growing the game of chess in Bahrain.
The Bahrain Chess Federation is committed to promoting chess across all ages and skill levels, creating an active learning environment that can inspire and motivate players of all backgrounds. The federation also plans to create a national chess team and conduct a series of chess tournaments.
With this new Board of Directors, we are certain that the game is moving in the right direction and that it will become a major international destination for competitive players. Chess has always been an important pastime for many in Bahrain, and the federation’s commitment to promoting chess across all ages will ensure that it remains a vibrant part of our culture. . The federation will undoubtedly bring an abundance of benefits for chess players and enthusiasts, enabling an exciting and engaging platform to showcase their talents on a global stage.
From the left: Ebrahim Al-Burshiad (General Secretary), Aisha Mutaiwee(Vice President), Ammar AlShamsi (Treasure)
This is an important step for chess in the kingdom and is sure to bring about many positive changes. The Bahraini Chess Federation will be instrumental in providing access to quality tournaments organized on both local and international levels and allowing people to interact with each other and learn from each other’s skills. It also promotes the love for this game and fosters a sense of community amongst Bahraini chess players.
It is expected that with the registered federation, new talent will emerge from all over Bahrain and take part in the upcoming first Bahrain Chess Championship 2023. This event promises to create an exciting platform for both local and international players.
The first Bahrain Chess Championship was organized at the beginning of 2023
The opening of the first Bahrain Chess Championship in 2023 was a remarkable celebration for the entire nation. Over 120 players from various governorates gathered to participate in this momentous event that lasted three weeks. Participants competed with each other to the highest level possible. This inaugural edition of the Bahrain Chess Championship has made an indelible impression in local chess circles.
The event was a success, with many participants and spectators.
The First Bahrain Chess Championship 2023 was an unqualified success, bringing together talented chess players from the region and beyond and a large number of spectators. An atmosphere of camaraderie permeated the whole event, and the enthusiasm for the game was clear to see as people discussed their moves and strategies with excitement. What began as just another regional event ended up becoming a high-energy gathering whose wholesome atmosphere quickly spread through word-of-mouth, drawing in more chess fans than initially believed possible. In this sense, it can be said that Bahrain’s first foray into the world of competitive chess was met with great success.
The final ranking of the tournament is as follows:
The tournament was a huge success and gave rise to enthusiastic enthusiasm amongst the players as their love of the game united them. The national men’s team of Bahrain for the year 2023, which was formed after the tournament, consists of Hussein Ayad, Maher Ayad, Khalaf Boukhlef, Ibrahim Burshid and Ali Al-Ghasra.
Bahrain Men’s Champion (2023), FM. Hussain Ayyad
The national women’s team of Bahrain for the year 2023 was also formed following the tournament and consists of Hawra Sharaf, Maram Al-Mousawi, Wafaa Ibrahim, Naglaa Ahmed and Sondos Obaid.
Bahrain Womeen Champion (2023)- Hawra Sharaf
In addition to these two teams, the tournament also resulted in the formation of various age group teams for boys, consisting of players from Under 20, Under 18, Under 16, Under 14, Under 12 and Under 10 categories. The players selected for each category are Mohamed Taqi (Under 20), Abdul Rahman Obaid (Under 18), Ronen Abdullah (Under 16), Sayed Hashim Ali (Under 14), Mahmoud Al-Mousawi (Under 12) and Jad Tariq Jawad (Under 10).
Mohammed Tagi (Top under 20)
Similarly, for the girls, the players chosen for each category are Honorable Mention Hawara Sharaf (Under 20), Maram Al Mousawi (Under 18), Sondos Obaid (Under 16), Dania Obaid (Under 14), Reem Al Salman (Under 12) and Joud Al-Faraj (Under 10). All these players are highly talented and have the potential to bring glory to Bahrain in international tournaments.
Maram Al Mousawi (Under 18)
The tournament has helped identify promising young talent, which will boost both men’s and women’s chess in Bahrain for the years to come. The teams formed as a result of it are sure to represent Bahrain at various international tournaments in the future and bring pride and glory to their country.
Undoubtedly, this tournament was a great success and has helped pave the way for even greater achievements in the future for Bahrain’s national chess teams. With its success, the country will surely witness a new chess era in Bahrain in the coming years!
This is only the beginning, but one thing is certain; Bahrain’s bright future in competitive chess is looking very promising indeed! The Bahrain Chess Federation looks forward to continuing its work toward making the game of chess more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, both locally and around the world. We are confident that with the help of all our dedicated supporters, we can create an even greater future for this fantastic sport!
The Tournament was managed by the staff of arbiters as follows:
Chief ArbiterFA/FT/CM/SI Larbi Ben Yahya, Deputy Chief ArbiterNA Mohsin, Basim A. Arbiter : IM/FT/NA/ Mohamed Tissir| NA Mostafa Salah| NA Amal Jawad Alhashemi| NA Ahmed Ebrahim Hasan
Arbiters
Chess is now gaining popularity in Bahrain.
The inaugural Bahrain Chess Championship 2023 is set to be held in the small Arabian nation of Bahrain, signaling a trend of chess-playing fervor that has been steadily growing across the country. It’s an exciting time for chess in Bahrain, where local tournaments are becoming increasingly popular, as well as regular events such as hopefully the annual King’s Cup championships. As more believers from neighboring countries come together to better their game, so too is their appetite for larger international tournaments such as the upcoming Bahrain Chess Championship in 2024. With greater interest and more skilled players emerging from the region, this event promises to be a remarkable tournament with players from all corners of the Middle East coming together to take part in this thrilling game of skill and strategy.
The first Bahrain Chess Championship was a resounding success, with many participants and spectators. This popularity is only set to increase in Bahrain and the broader region as chess continues to gain traction. With its rich history and strong foundations, Bahrain is poised to become a leading force in the world of chess. We hope to see you at the next edition of the Bahrain Chess Championship!