Dubai: The prestigious President Cup Chess tournament, organised by the UAE Chess Federation, will be held from January 18 to 27.
Ebrahim Al Bannai, the president of the UAE Chess Federation (UAECF), after announcing the dates for the event, told Gulf News that a sponsorship deal of Dh40,000 had been signed with the Sulaiman Al Fahim group for staging the event.
The deal was signed at a special function attended by Al Bannai, representing the UAE Chess Federation, and Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, the executive president of the Al Fahim group.
The Al Fahim group had sponsored Grand Master Taleb Moussa and seven women players as part of a deal with UAECF worth Dh10 million till 2009.
Dr Al Fahim said the sponsorship will contribute towards the development of talent among UAE players and juniors.
Forty top UAE players are expected to compete for the title.
Moussa, title holder FM Jasem Abdul Rahman, IM Abdullah Hassan , FM Othman Moussa and FM Abdul Majid Mohammad have confirmed their participation.
The President Cup is being held from 1994. This event initially took off from Abu Dhabi .
The opening ceremony for this year's competition will be held at 6pm on January 18 at Dubai Chess Club.
