MORE than 50 board game players tried to make the right moves in the fourth edition of the Riffa Views Summer Chess Tournament, organised by the Chess Gate at the Riffa Views International School.
The Chess Gate is a chess academy and online chess platform founded by FIDE Master and FIDE Instructor Zeyad Janahi, Bahrain’s first FIDE Master and a winner of many local and international chess titles.
The International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation, commonly referred to by its French acronym FIDE, is an international organisation based in Switzerland that connects the various national chess federations and acts as the governing body of international chess competition.
Mr Zayani said the number of participants had increased this year compared to last year when there were 40 competitors, reflecting the growth in popularity of the game.
“I am happy to see the increase in competitiveness in every tournament we hold and was impressed by all the participants and winners. I am looking forward to continuing to gather chess players in Bahrain for more tournaments in the future,” he told the GDN.
The contest was held in two categories: Adults and Under-17.
In the Adults category, Abdulrahman Jalili won first place, followed by Rehman Tipu and Abdulla Mahmood.
In the Under-17 category, Nader Ali, aged 14, won the top spot, his second time in a row.
“I started learning chess around three years ago. I was sitting in a boring class and saw my friends playing chess. I got curious and decided to join. At first, I was getting beaten badly, but within two weeks I was able to win,” said the Riffa Views resident who is originally from Pakistan.
“I took chess classes for a short time, but I mainly learnt from watching YouTube videos about chess and different strategies,” he added.
Planning to compete in the upcoming Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa School Chess Championship, Nader said chess for him was a hobby as he aims to study business and economics in college with the hope of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
His eight-year-old sister Zoya won the title of the best rising talent (under-16) at the tournament.
In second place was 13-year-old Salman Aftab, born in Pakistani and raised in Bahrain.
Mr Janahi said he was a rising talent and frequent participant.
“I got into chess around three years ago. I was watching TikTok, and a chess content creator named ‘GothamChess’ came up. He was teaching a tactic called ‘The Fork’. It caught my interest and I started watching his videos,” said the Riffa Views resident.
“I still learn from him and suggest anyone interested in chess to look him up,” he added.
Salman shares his interest in chess with his father, whom he practises with often. He aims to continue improving his skills at what he considers to be his favourite board game.
“I enjoy exploring and studying different openings and tactics,” he said.
Bahraini nine-year-old Maryam Almarbati came in third place in the competition.
Maryam’s many previous accomplishments included earning first place at last year’s Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa School Chess Championship in the under-10 years category; she was also honoured as the best under-10 player at the Arabian Karpov Cup, held in Jeddah earlier this year.
“Maryam found interest in the board game at four years old after she enrolled for summer chess classes, and she has not stopped playing since then,” said Maryam’s mother Nawara Al Hayem.
“We are happy and proud to see her thrive in something she is passionate about, and she is also proud of herself for accomplishing so much already, as she has several bronze, silver and gold medals from different events and tournaments.
“She is aiming to continue developing her skills to reach global tournaments, and, of course, we will all be supportive and encouraging of her,” added the Isa Town resident.
Winners and participants were presented with cups, coupons and certificates of participation during a ceremony.
Present were Riffa Views chairman Dr Mazin Jumaah and secretary Latifa Albunoodha.
rima@gdnmedia.bh
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