UAE’s Salem climbs to second place at Sharjah Masters Chess Championship

The eighth edition of the Sharjah International Masters Chess Championship, organised by the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, will conclude on Sunday.

The tournament has drawn significant global attention, bringing together 350 players from 60 countries, making it one of the most diverse and competitive events on the international chess calendar. Participants include a wide range of titled players — from grandmasters and international masters to emerging young talents — all vying for top honors in a highly charged and professional atmosphere.

As the tournament approaches its conclusion, anticipation is building for the closing ceremony and awards presentation, which will take place immediately after the final round.

Salem Abdulrahman, a player of UAE national team and member of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club, delivered a brilliant performance to secure a crucial victory that has propelled him to joint second place in the standings.

Abdulrahman defeated Serbian Grandmaster Aleksandar Indjic in a tightly contested encounter, bringing his total score to 5 points and closing in on the tournament leader.

The top of the leaderboard remains in the hands of Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, who continues to lead with 5.5 points following a strategic draw against Uzbekistan’s top seed, Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

Their match, played on the top board, was a highlight of the round — a tense battle between two elite competitors.

Abdusattorov, the reigning World Rapid Champion and widely regarded as one of the top favorites to win the tournament, experienced a slight stumble in his campaign as he was held to a draw by Dutch Grandmaster Giri in a closely contested match on the top board.

As a result, the Uzbek prodigy now finds himself in a five-way tie for second place with 5 points, joining a group of highly skilled and ambitious players all pushing hard for the top spot.

Among those sharing second place is Abdulrahman. Also in that group is Shant Sargsyan of Armenia, who demonstrated remarkable form and composure in defeating Russian Grandmaster Ivan Zemliansky. Sargsyan’s aggressive yet controlled style has made him one of the standout performers of the tournament so far, and his win was a clear signal of his intent to challenge for the title.

Serbia’s Velimir Ivic is another player in the mix, having continued his steady climb up the standings with a confident and technically sound victory over Chinese Grandmaster Dai Changren.

Rounding out the group is Indjic, who despite his recent loss to Abdulrahman, remains firmly in contention thanks to his earlier string of strong performances.

Daniel Norman, General Manager of Centro Sharjah Hotel, one of the tournament sponsors and the official hotel, along with Majd Qablan, Sales Manager, and Eli Abdo, Revenue Manager, attended the opening of the round on the first board.

Abdullah Murad Al Mazmi, Tournament Director, was also present. Additionally, Taryam Matar Taryam, President of the UAE Chess Federation, graced the event.

During his visit, Taryam praised the tournament’s achievements across all levels, particularly the technical progress made by players from various clubs, including national team members.

He highlighted the invaluable experience gained through competing against diverse international playing styles and noted that hosting such prestigious events locally reduces the need for costly external training camps.

He extended his gratitude to the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club’s Board of Directors, led by Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, and the tournament organizing committee for their tireless efforts in delivering a highly professional and successful event.

Taryam highlighted the rising prominence of chess in the UAE’s sporting scene, pointing to the growing number of international tournaments hosted each year and the impressive participation of titled players as clear indicators of the game’s expanding influence.

Norman expressed his pleasure in supporting the tournament and opening the round, emphasizing that the presence of such a large and diverse group of players from around the world underscores the event’s strength and global reach. He expressed pride in Centro Sharjah’s role as an official sponsor and pledged continued support for the club’s future chess events.