Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
On the sidelines of the 32nd Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, Dr Ismaeil Alkhouri reflects on a journey that mirrors the evolution of the sport in the UAE.
Having experienced the long-running event as a competitor in the 1990s, later as an organiser, and now as the newly appointed President of the UAE Chess Federation, Dr Alkhouri views the festival as both a cherished heritage and a springboard for modern governance.
“I am very happy and proud that we are celebrating the 32nd year of the festival,” says Dr Alkhouri. “I remember all the memories of how many generations, champions and players we have met.
"I do not recall any sporting event in the country continuing for 32 years without interruption. It has become part of our heritage, driving tourism during the summer and establishing itself on the global FIDE calendar.”
Taking helm of the national federation just a month ago, Dr Alkhouri’s immediate focus is on celebrating a major historical milestone. The federation is gearing up for its 50th anniversary later this year, an occasion that marks five decades of growth from a solitary chess club to 18 affiliated clubs across the country.
As a prelude to the Golden Jubilee celebrations, the federation will host a high-stakes, two-day chess tournament in rapid format for different categories on August 25-26 at the Dubai Chess Club, boasting a total prize fund exceeding Dh100,000.
There will be an online category as well to take out the limitations of distance for every type of participants — domestic or international.
“This is 50 years of successful establishment for the UAE Chess Federation,” notes Dr Alkhouri. “The upcoming tournament in Dubai offers a very substantial prize fund for a single-day event. Later in the year, we will hold a major ceremony to celebrate the 50-year journey, recognising those who built the federation from its inception.”
Beyond anniversary festivities, the new administration is aiming to revitalise the structural and commercial framework of Emirati chess.
The UAE has traditional tournaments on the world calendar such as the Dubai and Sharjah Chess Opens. Abu Dhabi will host the 2028 Chess Olympiad and Fujairah is gearing up to host the World Under-20 Championship next year.
Dr Alkhouri reveals plans for a flagship annual national tournament designed to serve as a marquee event on the sporting calendar.
“We want to change the methodology from a typical, conventional plan to something innovative,” Dr Alkhouri explained. “Sport also needs a commercial sense to thrive. We are focusing on how to bring major companies into partnership with us, to sponsor events and expand the reach of the game.”
Crucial to this strategy is retaining and developing native talent, a challenge the federation plans to address through targeted initiatives. The newly formed technical and talent committees are finalising memorandums of understanding with UAE universities to offer academic scholarships and flexible schedules, ensuring young players do not abandon the chess board when transitioning to higher education.
Parallel efforts are also underway to bolster domestic infrastructure. For instance, local authorities have already completed training camps to have 100 certified arbiters from within the country in preparation for the Chess Olympiad.
The Abu Dhabi-based president’s vision for the festival is to see it grow further. “Nothing has a limit; you can always go beyond in terms of participation and structure,” Dr Alkhouri says.
“My dream is to see chess fully embedded in the households — where grandparents, parents and children all come to compete together as a family.”
