Over-50 Category: Kyrgyzstan’s Umarbekov Crowned Champion
In the Over-50 category, Aziz Umarbekov of Kyrgyzstan captured the Gold Medal with a commanding 7.5 points, demonstrating remarkable consistency, composure, and tactical precision throughout the tournament.
Close behind, IM Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Ali of Iraq, the hometown favorite from Erbil, delighted local supporters with his resilient play to secure the Silver Medal with 7 points. GM Ramil Hasangatin of Russia, who led in the early rounds, finished strongly to claim the Bronze Medal with 6.5 points. CM Marwan Aboudi of Jordan and CM Joseph Ebenezer of India both scored 6 points, completing the top five in a closely contested field.
Adding to the host nation’s success, the Best Women Awards in the Over-50 category were swept by Iraqi players. Iman Mahdi Ahmed earned the Best Woman prize with 4.5 points, followed by WCM Jwan Jamal Mohammed Ameen in second place with 4 points, and Dilpak Ali Hamzah in third place with 3.5 points.
Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.
Over-65 Category: Primbetov of Kazakhstan Claims Gold in a Close Finish
The Over-65 category witnessed equally fierce competition. Marat Primbetov of Kazakhstan clinched the Gold Medal on superior tiebreaks with 6.5 points, ahead of FM Hossein Aryanejad of Iran, who also finished with 6.5 points to take Silver.
Randolph Schain of Cambodia earned the Bronze Medal with 6 points, while Aliasghar Akhavan Rad of Iran and FM Ali Jalal Adil of Iraq followed closely with 5.5 points each.
The Best Woman player in this category was WGM Galina Strutinskaia of Russia, who once again demonstrated her enduring class and skill at the top level.
Blitz Championship: Dominated by the Russian Players
The concluding Blitz Tournament merged both age divisions, producing fast-paced excitement as players battled for the final honors of the championship. Although the event brought both groups together, awards were given separately per age category. GM Ramil Hasangatin of Russia bounced back brilliantly to capture the Blitz title with 7.5 points, sharing the top score with WGM Galina Strutinskaia of Russia and FM Hossein Aryanejad of Iran.
In the Blitz Over-50 section, GM Ramil Hasangatin of Russia took the Gold Medal with 7.5 points, showcasing his trademark composure and precision under pressure. IM Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Ali of Iraq, maintaining his fine form from the standard event, earned the Silver Medal, while CM Salih Al-Aqrabi of Yemen secured the Bronze Medal, both finishing with 6.5 points after an intense race for the podium.
The Blitz Over-65 section brought another success for the Russian contingent, with WGM Galina Strutinskaia capturing the Gold Medal after an outstanding performance on 7.5 points. FM Hossein Aryanejad of Iran, a former national champion, earned his second Silver Medal of the tournament following his impressive consistency across both formats. CM Abdul Kareem Kashush of Iraq completed the podium with 6 points, proudly securing the Bronze Medal for the host nation.
In the Best Women category, Iraqi players continued to shine. Dilpak Ali Hamzah won the Gold Medal with 4 points, followed by WCM Jwan Jamal Mohammed Ameen, who took Silver with 3.5 points, and Bayan Jamal Mohammed Ameen, who secured Bronze with 3 points.
On the sidelines of the final rounds, Mr. Hisham Al Taher (second from left), General Secretary of the Asian Chess Federation, accompanied by Mr. Dhafer Madhloom (left), President of the Asian Zone 3.1 and the Iraqi Chess Federation, and Dr. Dlzar Hama Salih Qadir (right), President of the Khanzad Chess Club, paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Rebar Ahmed, Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Region.
During the meeting, Mr. Hisham Al Taher presented the Asian Personality of the Year award to Dr. Rebar Ahmed, in recognition of the late Barzani’s selection as Asia’s Personality of the Year, acknowledging his enduring legacy and support for regional development and culture, including the promotion of chess in Kurdistan and Iraq.
The late Kurdish leader Mustafa Barzani playing chess with American journalist Dana Adam Schmidt, 1974. The moment immortalized in this historic image inspired the Asian Chess Federation’s 2025 Personality of the Year award honoring Barzani’s legacy.
As the curtain fell on the Asian Senior Chess Championships 2025, Erbil reaffirmed its place as one of Asia’s most welcoming and vibrant chess destinations — where legends of the game continue to write new chapters in the timeless story of chess.
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