UAE Chess Championship starts with high turnout across age groups

Strong start in the U20 Category

In the Under-20 Open category, Mohammed Saeed Al Shamsi (Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club) and Mohammed Saeed Al Laili (Fujairah Chess Club) shared the lead with one point each after their first-round wins.

Female U20 and U18 players share the lead

In the same age group for women, Latifa Al Darmaki (Abu Dhabi Chess & Mind Games Club), Anoud Issa (Sharjah Girls’ Chess & Culture Club), and Ahlam Rashid (Dubai Chess Club) also scored early victories, sharing the lead.

Competitive play in U18 Open

Four players tied for first place in the Under-18 Open: Saud Jaber and Saud Badr Al Zarouni (both from Sharjah Cultural Chess Club), Abdullah Al Khamiri (Al Ain), and Rashid Aref (Sharjah).

No draws in U16 matches

The Under-16 Open category saw seven players tie for the lead with no draws recorded. The same pattern appeared in the female category, where Fatima Rashid, Shamma Al Suwaidi, and Hala Jamal won their opening matches.

Limited draws in U14

In the Under-14 Open category, seven players ended the round with full points. Only two matches ended in draws. In the girls' division, four players — Maryam Saud, Reem Al Jasmi, Hasna Rashid Al Kaabi, and Meera Al Marri — shared the lead.

U12 players impress with perfect scores

The Under-12 Open saw 19 players earn full points in the first round. Similarly, in the female division, 20 players recorded wins out of 40 participants, with no draws registered in either group.

Championship continues until August 14

The event is witnessing high competitiveness and strong performances across age groups, reflecting the growing popularity and talent in UAE chess circles.