UAE’s teenager Rouda Al Serkal ready for biggest challenge at Norway Chess Open

Dubai: At just 15, Rouda Al Serkal has already shattered barriers in UAE chess. Now, she’s preparing for the biggest challenge of her young career: facing some of the world’s top players at the Norway Chess Open — a proving ground for future legends.

The teenage trailblazer, who made headlines in March by becoming the UAE’s first Woman Grandmaster, has accepted an invitation to compete in the Norway Chess Open 2025. The prestigious FIDE-rated tournament will be held from May 26 to June 1 at the IMI Forum in Stavanger, drawing both seasoned grandmasters and ambitious young talents from across the globe.

With previous participants like reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, and his sister Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu — who all played the Norway Chess Open early in their careers — the tournament has become known as a gateway to greatness.

“I am excited to play in the Norway Chess Open, which has plenty of top players like Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura and Gukesh,” Rouda told Gulf News at a media event in Dubai’s Seven Seas Hotel on Wednesday. “I can’t wait to see them, learn from them, and my main goal is to enjoy my game at that level and, hopefully, gain some rating points.”

The invitation was extended by Kjell Madland, Managing Director and the visionary behind Norway Chess.

“I’m looking forward to the competition as I know Norway Chess is the strongest grooming ground for future chess superstars,” said the Grade X student from Abu Dhabi. “When I first heard I was getting invited, I couldn’t believe it — I was so thrilled, I told my coach immediately that I needed to start preparing. This is the most prestigious tournament in the world, and I’m sure this experience will help me improve my game further.”

The Open category will feature participants from 31 countries, including top names such as Rinat Jumbayev (Kazakhstan), Gergely Kantor (Hungary), Valentin Dragnev (Austria), Vitaly Kunin (Germany), Frode Urkedal (Norway), and Chinese Grandmaster Jiner Zhu.

“Rouda has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Woman Grandmaster from the UAE,” Madland said. “She stands tall as an inspiration for women in the region. The Norway Chess Open is a fantastic opportunity for players to hone their skills and gain competitive exposure. We hope to see more future stars from the Middle East rise through this platform.”

Rouda will compete in the Grandmaster Group, which features nine rounds and a €13,000 prize fund. Double rounds on May 29 and 30 will offer excellent chances for earning title norms.

The Norway Chess Open will run parallel to the marquee Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women tournaments, both of which will take place in the same hall, with equal prize money and an identical six-player double round-robin format.

The men’s event, which boasts six of the top seven players in the world, will see world No 1 and home favourite Carlsen go head-to-head with Gukesh (India), Nakamura (USA), Fabiano Caruana (USA), Arjun Erigaisi (India), and Wei Yi (China).

On the women’s side, the field includes Ju Wenjun and Lei Tingjie (China), Koneru Humpy (India), Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine), Vaishali (India), and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Spain).

As Rouda prepares to compete alongside the game’s brightest minds, one thing is clear: this teenager from the UAE isn’t just playing to participate — she’s playing to belong.