Arab chess event gets underway

Thirty national and Arab youngsters, aged between 10 and 14, are competing in the fourth Arab Individual Chess Championship.

The competition is being held in Fujairah from July 13 to 21 under the patronage of Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Department of Industry and Economy.

The opening ceremony, held at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, was attended by Sheikh Saif bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Free Zone.

The function was also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Suhail Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Chess Club and head of the championship organising committee, Ibrahim Al Banna, Chairman of the Arab Chess Federation and Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, Chairman of the UAE Chess Association.

Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Qatar, Palestine, Iraq and Morocco all have fielded three players each.
Hosts UAE have nine players due to the last-minute withdrawal of Lebanon and Libya from the competition.

The competition will be played over 15 rounds with the winner receiving $2,000 and a trophy.