Dewa duo dominate chess competition

Fayeqa, Haifa deny defending champion Raba’a repeat honour

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) continued with their strong showing by winning the top two spots at the end of the chess competition held as part of the fourth Shaikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament.

Leading the way for Dewa was Fayeqa Saleh Abdullah Mohammad with 4.5 points from five rounds, while her colleague Haifa Sultan Ebrahim ended in second, also with an identical score. Defending champion Raba’a Mohammad Ahmad from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) had to stay content with third place with four wins from five rounds. The tournament was held over five rounds, with each player drawn to play over a 20-minute period against the other. With at least three in the race for top honours, it was Fayeqa and Haifa playing to a draw and splitting the point, leaving defending champion Raba’a in third. The onetwo finish in chess adds on to the success enjoyed by Dewa in the cycling race with Suhaila Saeed winning last week.

“It’s an amazing feeling to win such a prestigious tournament. Our department has always backed us to do well, and it is due to this encouragement that I felt more confident and empowered to give my best and come out as the new winner of the chess this year,” Fayeqa told Gulf News.

Ironically, the fifth and final round between the two teammates was a close affair. “But she [Fayeqa] had the advantage as she started off with white pieces. At the end game it could have gone either way as both of us had our Queens exposed. So the wise decision was to settle for a draw and get half the point,” Haifa added. Though ending in third spot, defending champion Raba’a was excited about the growing stature of this annual event. “I loved each and every moment this time as the competition was tougher,” she said. “I had not played officially in any major tournament for 16 years. And now to come and take third place against such tough competition is an achievement,” she added. Meanwhile, Rohit Dhamani, Director, Dhamani Jewels, was pleased to assist such an initiative. “We are proud to be once again associated with the unique platform created by the Shaikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament as it lifts up the morale of women in UAE society while encouraging healthier lifestyles,” Dhamani said.