Abu Dhabi: No surprises were achieved in the first round of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, with the top seeds winning their encounters in the three competitions that got underway here on Sunday.
The annual event, held under the patronage of Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, was opened by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Society Development and the President of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, at the Sofitel Hotel.
Hussain Abdullah Khory, Chairman of organisers the Abu Dhabi Chess and Culture Club, welcomed the players and said: “We achieved a great success this year with a record 342 players from 30 different countries taking part in the festival.” Khory wished all the competitors good luck in the competition.
A total of 49 highly-rated players are competing in the Masters Championship, with Grand Master Igor Kurnosov from Russia the top seed. Kurnosov won his first match by beating International Master Sergio Estremera Panos, while second seed GM Andrei Istratescu from France overcame Misratdin Iskandarov.
GM Zahar Efimenko from Ukraine drew with WGM Dinara Saduakassova from Kazakhstan and India’s IM B.R. Ramanath drew with GM Gadir Guseinov.
IN the open tournament, top seed Ismail Shahaliyev beat Dana Ghalib, while second seed Brona Devkhshani beat David Rey, while Cristina Somoff beat Fajr Al Ali. In the second round, Shahaliyev will play against Bassam Rawas and Davkhshani will face Andre Nagul.
In the junior tournament, which boasts 151 competitors, 69 players won their first round matches and will play in the second according to the Swiss system of competition. All but 10 of the young competitors are from local chess clubs, with seven of them having ranks and 52 having Elo ratings, which promises a strong competition between the youngsters,
