Sharjah 24: The fifth Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship kicked off on Saturday at the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club, with the participation of 80 international players.

Sheikh Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Mualla, Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and President of the Arab Chess Federation and the Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the  Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship said that the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, is among the major reasons behind the success of the championship.

Speaking exclusively to “Sharjah 24”, Sheikh Al Mualla indicated that world players and international federations trust the good organisation of the tournaments held in Sharjah, explaining that the tournament includes 80 of the world's best players representing 48 countries.