Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Fujairah will make history by hosting the inaugural Global Chess Championship (FGCC) in the Middle East, with the tournament recognised by the world governing body FIDE.
Organised by Fujairah Chess Club from August 25 to September 2, the event is part of the qualifying cycle for the World Cup and has attracted a top-quality field.
The event will be a logistical boon for participants coming in from across the world as it opens doors a day after the close of the 31st Abu Dhabi Chess International Festival in the UAE capital with a record participation of over 3,500 across many categories.
With Al Ain hosting the Asian Individual Chess Championship earlier this year, the FGCC adds significantly to the chess ecosystem in the UAE and follows the path of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai in staging elite tournaments.
More than 600 players from 75 countries are expected to compete, including over 30 grandmasters ranked among the world’s elite. Although the organisers would not confirm, the website says a record prize money pool of $125,000 is on offer.
The tournament will feature several sections. There will be a Superstars section which is reserved for elite grandmasters rated above 2600 Elo, and promises matches of the highest quality.
There will be one for Masters, where ambitious players achieve FIDE norms towards international titles such as Grandmaster (GM) and International Master (IM) and there will be an Open section to encourage inclusivity by welcoming players of all levels from around the globe.
Players in Abu Dhabi who spoke to Aletihad said they know of some players in the Superstars section who have got special welcome treatment in terms of hotel accommodation or entry fees waived off.
All matches will follow FIDE’s international standards, with top-level arbitration and advanced anti-cheating measures in place. Games will be broadcast live with expert commentary and analysis, allowing millions of fans worldwide to follow the action in real time.
Beyond the competition, Fujairah will also host several key side events, including a meeting of the FIDE International Arbiter Commission, the region’s first “Fair Play Seminar”, and workshops designed to develop local and regional chess talent.
