Z-Corp, Oman Chess Committee host tournament in Ibri

MUSCAT: To promote the game of chess and to encourage more people to take up the mind game, The Zubair Corporation (Z-Corp) in association with Oman Chess Committee (OCC) organised a chess tournament for students at the Zubair Automotive showroom in Ibri. it was attended by Majid bin Juma Al Obidani, General Manager, Zubair Automotive showroom, Nizwa Branch.

It may be recalled that under the framework of augmenting public and private sector partnership, The Zubair Corporation LLC (Z-Corp) had recently renewed its sponsorship agreement with Oman Chess Committee (OCC). As part of the agreement, Z-Corp supports all the activities of Oman Chess Committee in the coming years. The agreement between Z-Corp and OCC was enabled by Oman Olympic Committee as part of their plans to assist sports associations and athletes to get the support of the private sector companies.

To popularise the mind sports, Z-Corp couple of years ago in cooperation with the OCC had established Zubair Chess Centres in Muscat, Ibri, Sohar, Nizwa and Salalah. The matches were held in Ibri with the purpose to help youngsters participate, qualify and represent the Sultanate in international sports platforms.

In the general category, Hamood bin Mohammed Al Busaidi won the first place.

In the ‘under 14-year category’, Abdul Rahman bin Khalid Al Zedjali won first place, Fahad bin Said Al Mahrooqi second place and Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Busaidi the third place.

In the ‘under 12-year category’, Ahmed bin Said Fadhel captured the first place, Mahmood bin Hamed Al Mahrooqi secured second spot and Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Busaidi won the third place.

In the ‘under 10-year category’, Mohammed bin Hamed Al Mahrooqi won the first place, Abdullah bin Basher Al Muqaimi secured second spot and Hoor bint Hilal Al Kalbani won the third place.

Coaches Mussalan Al Wadahi, Bashir Al Mukhaimi and Hamdan Al Hinai participated in the tournament.

The competition, hosted by Z-Corp and OCC, followed the principles of the Swiss System and each category had to play nine rounds of chess, at 20 minutes plus 10 seconds per move.