Kuwait city: The Qatari chess team has taken part in the Arab Chess Championship, currently hosted by Kuwait, by competing in the first and second rounds of the classical chess events.
According to Qatar News Agency, the tournament runs until Nov. 25 and features 87 players representing 18 Arab countries, under the supervision of the Arab Chess Federation (ACF). Qatari Grandmaster Husain Aziz lost his first match against Syrian Agid Miro, before securing his first point in the second round with a victory over Kuwaiti Bader Al Hajri. He is set to face Emirati Mohammed Saeed in the third round.
Qatari Grandmaster Hamad Al Kuwari suffered a defeat in his opening-round match against Moroccan Yasser Haji, before securing a decisive victory over Kuwaiti Hussein Suleiman in the second round. He is slated to face Iraqi Ali Laith Al Othman in the third round.
In the women's division, Qatari player Ghada Al Khulaifi lost her opening encounter against Egyptian Jana Zaki, followed by a second-round defeat to Moroccan Khadija Al Muteiri. She is set to challenge Omani competitor Anah Al Aisaiyah in the third round.
The participation in this championship is profoundly consequential, with a phalanx of players of both genders in the Arab region taking part. It will also be a precious opportunity to augment the global classification of Qatari players, Executive Director of the Qatar Chess Association Hamad Al Tamimi told Qatar News Agency (QNA).
Al Tamimi added that the tournament has become one of the most consequential events on the ACF's agenda, in terms of substantial coaching and organizational values, along with the real competitive atmospheres enjoyed by Arab players in Classical Chess, Rapid Chess, Blitz Chess, and the awarding of international titles to the winning champions. He highlighted that the Qatari team is participating in the Rapid Chess and Blitz Chess competitions, expressing his strong confidence in achieving outstanding results in these events and capitalizing on the opportunity to engage with diverse chess schools.