Gulf News

Dubai Chess Club to be abuzz during Ramadan

Series of events planned with Allegiance Zayed tournament

- By K.R. Nayar Chief Cricket Writer

Dubai Chess and Culture Club will be staging a series of tournament­s during the holy month of Ramadan. They started off with Allegiance Zayed Chess Tournament, which commenced yesterday and will continue till June 25 at the club’s Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Hall.

Speaking about their upcoming activities, Jamal Al Abdouli, General Secretary of the club said: “It has been the club’s tradition to host various chess competitio­ns as well as religious and cultural activities that are open to members and guests during Ramadan. The Allegiance Zayed Chess Tournament is on its 12th year and is being organised in honour of late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding President of the UAE.”

Najib Mohammad Saleh, Technical and Coaching Director who observes this tournament closely to spot talent said: “This event regularly attracts the best players in the UAE as well as a few titled players from other countries, giving the club’s students an opportunit­y to test their skills in a high-level competitio­n.”

Plans are also on to host other chess competitio­ns to spread the game at the community level. “We have plans to stage a blitz team tournament that is open to various community groups, chess clubs, companies and other private and government entities. The blitz team tournament is also one of the regular events organised by the club during Ramadan,” he said.

Other activities

The club will also be organising religious and cultural activities, including an Iftar with club members, students, parents, guests and staff, friendly competitio­ns in billiards and table tennis during this month.

Dubai Chess and Cultural Club had recently staged the Arab Elite Chess tournament and Dubai Open Chess Championsh­ip with top chess players from different parts of the world competing in these events. Kirsan Illyumzhin­ov. President of FIDE, had recently attended the final of the Arab Elite Chess tournament and gave away the prizes.

 ?? Courtesy: DCCC ?? All square ■ The Allegiance Zayed Chess Tournament in progress at the Dubai Chess and Cultural Club.
Courtesy: DCCC All square ■ The Allegiance Zayed Chess Tournament in progress at the Dubai Chess and Cultural Club.

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