Giri, Indjic share lead at 8th edition of Sharjah Masters Chess Championship

The 8th Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship, organized by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has reached its critical final phase with only three rounds remaining to crown the new champion.

Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri and Serbian Grandmaster Aleksandar Indjic currently share the lead with 5 points each.

The highly anticipated seventh-round matchup between the two leaders is expected to be a decisive game for the top of the standings.

Top-seeded Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov remains firmly in the hunt for the title with an impressive 4.5 points after six rounds, following a key victory that keeps him within striking distance of the leaders. The young star continues to demonstrate his consistency and competitive edge as the tournament intensifies.

Trailing just half a point behind, a tightly packed group of fourteen players are tied at 4 points, creating a highly competitive leaderboard. Among them is Emirati Grandmaster Salem Abdulrahman, who delivered a vital performance in round six by defeating Sava Vetokhin, a competitor playing under the flag of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The win positions Abdulrahman well for a strong finish as the event enters its crucial stages.

Round six featured a series of significant results on the top boards that reshaped the standings. Serbian Grandmaster Indjic claimed a major victory over Chinese GM Dai Changren on board one, while Dutch superstar Giri prevailed against Iranian GM Parham Maghsoodloo in a tightly contested match on board two. On board three, Abdusattorov continued his push toward the top with a composed and strategic win over Indian International Master P. Iniyan.

A standout performance at the tournament continues to come from 12-year-old Argentinian chess prodigy Faustino Oro, widely hailed as the “Messi of Chess.” The young sensation has captured the attention of the global chess community with his remarkable composure, maturity, and tactical brilliance well beyond his years.

Through six intense rounds of competition, Oro has remained unbeaten—an extraordinary feat for a player of his age competing against seasoned international masters and grandmasters. He has notched one victory and held his own in five hard-fought draws, bringing his total to 3.5 points.

While his score may appear modest amid the crowded leaderboard, the implications are historic: Oro is now just half a point away from achieving his third and final Grandmaster norm.

Should he succeed in earning that final norm over the next few rounds, Faustino Oro would become the youngest player in chess history to receive the coveted Grandmaster title, surpassing legends such as Sergey Karjakin and Magnus Carlsen. His calm presence at the board, sharp intuition, and relentless focus has made him one of the most talked-about figures in the tournament.

The sixth round was ceremonially inaugurated at the top board by Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa’a, Chairman of Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled, along with Omran Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee; Abdullah Murad Al Mazmi, Tournament Director; and Faisal Al Hammadi, Head of the Technical and Arbitration Committee.

Dr. Al Midfa’a expressed his pride in attending such a distinguished international event, stating, “Sharjah has consistently demonstrated excellence in hosting world-class championships. The game of chess, the sport of intellect, enjoys exceptional support in the Emirate thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and the presence of the world’s largest chess club.”

He added, “This championship plays a vital role in elevating the level of Emirati players, enhancing their international ratings, and contributing to the overall development of our national teams. I extend my best wishes to the Sharjah Chess Club, under the leadership of Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Hamid Al Qasimi, for continued success in future editions.”

As the tournament enters its final three rounds, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to what has become one of the most competitive and internationally respected events on the global chess calendar.