Former world champion Viswanathan Anand will be participating in the International Chess Federation’s (Fide) centenary celebrations in Abu Dhabi. The event will include various global and Arab chess icons and executives and will start at 5:30 pm in Marina Mall. Exhibition matches will be organized, with Egyptian grandmaster Ahmed Adly and Qatari Federation president Mohammed Al Mudahka playing simultaneously against 15 chess players each. A torch relay will also be part of the celebrations, starting from Chennai, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and Bucharest, where the 2024 Chess Olympiad will be hosted.
Abu Dhabi is proud to host the Fide 100 years celebration as it is considered the global capital of chess. The Abu Dhabi Chess Club Chairman, Hussein Khoori, expressed his delight in hosting the event and emphasized the significance of bringing the torch relay to Abu Dhabi. Fide recently turned 100 and to commemorate this milestone, they called upon chess players and federations to participate in a world record attempt for the largest number of chess games played in a day. Chess clubs in the Emirates responded by organizing tournaments and contributing to the international record.
The Abu Dhabi Chess Club’s chief executive, Saeed Khouri, stated that they organized a tournament with 168 players from 19 different countries in response to Fide’s call. The goal is to showcase the game of chess to the community of Abu Dhabi, which has always been an essential aspect of their work. Dubai Chess Club’s secretary-general, Saeed Yousuf Shakari, also praised the centenary celebrations in the UAE, highlighting the importance of the world record attempt and the significance of participating in it. Furthermore, Sheikh Dr Khaled bin Humaid Al Qassimi, President of the Sharjah Chess Club and the Arab Chess Federation, expressed pride in hosting activities that combine education and entertainment through chess.
Multiple events are organized across the country to celebrate the International Chess Federation’s centenary, including tournaments, competitions, workshops, and seminars. The UAE has been actively participating in the global chess community and has continued to promote the game through various initiatives and events. The participation of legendary grandmasters like Viswanathan Anand in the celebrations further enhances the reputation of the UAE as a hub for chess enthusiasts. The chess community in the Emirates has shown great enthusiasm and dedication to the sport, contributing to the success of the world record attempt and promoting chess as a tool for sustainable development and cultural interaction.
