Grandmaster Mahammad Muradli emerged as the champion of the 24th Dubai Open Chess Tournament after a draw with China’s GM Changren Dai in the final round. Muradli secured the title by finishing undefeated with seven points, achieved through five wins and four draws in the nine-round tournament, edging out Dai and five other players by half a point.
The second-board match between India’s GM Raunak Sadhwani and China’s GM Di Li ended in a quick draw, setting the stage for the first-board showdown between Muradli and Dai to determine the tournament winner. Muradli needed at least a draw to claim the title, while Dai was in a must-win situation to snatch the championship. The intense game ultimately ended in a draw on move 41, with both players showing strong intentions to win.
In Category B, Libya’s Yousef A. Alhassadi clinched the title after drawing with young Chinese player Zilong Yang in the final round. Alhassadi finished with 7.5 points, securing first place, while Yang took second place with seven points. The special awards in Category B were won by FM Bakhyt Temirov of Kazakhstan, the UAE’s Saif Ahmed, and AGMVishal Choudary of India, who all finished with seven points to claim the third to fifth places.
IM Lee Junhyeok of South Korea secured the special award in the 2300-2399 rating category, while GM Iniyan Pa of India clinched the award in the 2400-2499 category. In Category A, FM Erik Hakobyan of Armenia, IM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus of Turkey, and GM S.P. Sethuraman of India finished with six points each, completing the top 10 alongside the special awards winners Saeed Alnuaimi Gaith of the UAE in the 1600-1799 rating category and AIM Vihaan Dumir of India in the 1800-1999 category.
The tournament witnessed thrilling and competitive matches, with players aiming to showcase their skills on the chessboard. Grandmaster Mahammad Muradli’s victory was well-deserved after displaying exceptional performance throughout the competition. The event not only highlighted the talent and sportsmanship of the participants but also promoted the game of chess and brought together players from diverse backgrounds to compete in a spirit of camaraderie and excellence.
Overall, the 24th Dubai Open Chess Tournament was a resounding success, with players demonstrating tactical prowess and strategic thinking in their gameplay. The tournament provided a platform for chess enthusiasts to engage with like-minded individuals, share their passion for the game, and test their abilities against formidable opponents. Grandmaster Mahammad Muradli’s triumph was a testament to his skill and dedication, and the event served as a celebration of the timeless game of chess, uniting players from around the world in a common pursuit of excellence.
