Dubai, UAE, 22 July 2024

In line with the International Chess Day celebrations, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library hosted a Blitz Chess Tournament for its readers in collaboration with UAE Chess Federation. Over 50 players competed in the multi-round format tournament.

The tournament was inaugurated by His Excellency Tarim Matar Tarim, President of the UAE Chess Federation; Hamad Al Hosani, acting director of Events and communication at Mohammed Bin Rashid Library; and His Excellency Abdul Karim Al Marzouqi Secretary General of the UAE Chess Federation. Officials from both parties also attended the inauguration.

Strong competition, high-level strategies, and exceptional skills were on display during the blitz matches, as players showcased their abilities to make complicated decisions in short turns.

Namas Kanan, Mahfouz Mayyar, and Akhil Vijayakumar placed in the top three spots, respectively, following a brilliant display of skills during the tournament. The top ten players were honoured and presented with valuable books, in-kind gifts, and commemorative trophies by Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. All participants were also presented with motivational awards to encourage their talents.

Participants and spectators praised the high levels of organisation and the general vision behind the event and expressed their wishes to have similar events in the future. Players also applauded the opportunity provided by this tournament to test their skills in highly competitive settings and hone their capabilities of making fast decisions under pressure.

The event highlights the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library’s and the UAE Chess Federation's roles in developing mental acuity through cultural and sports events, combining mental exercise and culture in an attractive competitive setting. This initiative also affirms the importance of collaboration between various domains to achieve a comprehensive development while creating an environment to encourage creativity and strategic thinking.