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Viswanathan Anand to join Fide's centenary celebrations in Abu Dhabi

Anand, along with other global and Arab chess icons and executives, will attend the event on Thursday

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Former world champion Viswanathan Anand (centre). — AFP
by

Ahmed Waqqas Alawlaqi

Published: Wed 21 Aug 2024, 4:03 PM

Legendary Indian grandmaster Viswanathan Anand will be a part of the International Chess Federation's (Fide) centenary celebrations in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Anand, along with other global and Arab chess icons and executives, will attend the event which will start at 5:30 pm in Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi.

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As part of the celebrations, the authorities will organise exhibition matches in Marina Mall where Egyptian grandmaster Ahmed Adly will play simultaneously against 15 chess players.

Similarly, another simultaneous game will be played between the Qatari Federation president and grandmaster, Mohammed Al Mudahka, and 15 chess players.

There will also be a torch relay, a tradition that the Fide 100-year ceremony has carried out across regions around the world. Moving from 12 global chess capitals starting from Chennai, Paris, Abu Dhabi and Bucharest, which will host the 2024 Chess Olympiad.

“Abu Dhabi is glad to host the Fide 100 years ceremony and to be part of the 12 capitals around the world that got this honour," Hussein Khoori, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club, told the Khaleej Times.

"Abu Dhabi is the global capital of chess and the host of the best players from all around the world. Bringing the torch here is a testament to that.”

Fide turned 100 on July 20, and to celebrate its 100th anniversary, it has called upon chess players and federations to participate in a world record for the largest number of chess games played in a day.

Chess clubs around the Emirates responded to this call and took part with 2104 chess games, contributing to the international record.

“We have responded to Fide’s call by organising a tournament with 168 players from 19 different countries," said Saeed Khouri, Abu Dhabi Chess Club's chief executive.

"The response from the players was large and positive. One of our main goals is to showcase the game to the community of Abu Dhabi, and we have always done that and will continue to do so."

Saeed Yousuf Shakari, secretary general of Dubai Chess Club, also hailed the centenary celebrations in the UAE.

“For the past five years, Dubai Chess Club has been organising the International Chess Day tournament, and this year, we continued our streak. We see great importance in this world record attempt, and we were glad to take part in it," Yousuf Shakari said.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Dr Khaled bin Humaid Al Qassimi, President of the Sharjah Chess Club and the Arab Chess Federation, said: “We are proud to host such activities and events that combine education and entertainment and aim to enhance awareness of the health, cultural and educational benefits of playing chess and enhance the role of chess as a tool for sustainable development, cultural interaction and international cooperation. Multiple events are organised across the country on this day, including chess tournaments, competitions, workshops and seminars.”

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Ahmed Waqqas Alawlaqi

Published: Wed 21 Aug 2024, 4:03 PM

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