Giri wins Sharjah Masters Chess Championship

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports of the UAE, attended the closing ceremony of 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, the tournament featured 350 players from 60 countries.

Dr. Falasi emphasized that the championship underscores the UAE’s prominent position in the global sports arena, particularly in chess, a game that combines intellect, strategy, and talent.

He stated, “This tournament has solidified its status as a global platform attracting world champions and offering emerging talents the opportunity to gain experience and learn diverse playing styles at the highest levels.”

He added, “The significant participation and exceptional organization reflect the commitment of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and the Sharjah Sports Council to advancing the sport and reinforcing Sharjah’s role as an international hub for chess. The fruitful collaboration between various governmental and private entities contributed to delivering an outstanding edition by all standards.”

He commended all efforts behind the tournament’s success, affirming that the Ministry of Sports prioritizes supporting initiatives that enhance the UAE’s stature in hosting global championships and preparing a generation of local champions capable of excelling internationally.

The closing ceremony and awards presentation were attended by Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Hamid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and President of the Arab Chess Federation; Taryam Matar Taryam, President of the UAE Chess Federation; Essa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; and numerous sports figures.

The event also featured the announcement of the winners of the Arab Chess Federation’s Translation and Composition Award and the honoring of the award’s jury committee.

Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri clinched the Masters title after securing 7 points out of 9 rounds, marking the first time a European player has won the championship. Serbian Grandmaster Aleksandar Indjic and top-seeded Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov both scored 6.5 points, with Indjic taking second place and Abdusattorov finishing third on tiebreaks. Winners of the B and C categories were also honored during the ceremony.

Sheikh Dr. Khalid expressed profound gratitude to Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his unwavering support of sports and athletes, and for his patronage of the championship. He also thanked Dr. Falasi for attending the closing ceremony, as well as Hazami and Taryam Matar Taryam for their continuous support of the clubs.

He affirmed that the championship achieved numerous gains on technical, administrative, and organizational levels, attributing the professional organization to the dedicated efforts of the working team. The tournament left a significant impact on participating players, including those who secured top positions and those who attained international titles.

Hazami noted, “The championship showcased high-level performances and recorded unprecedented participation, with players from 60 countries, underscoring its global reputation. We take pride in organizing a tournament of such professional caliber and extend our gratitude to the club’s management, led by Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Hamid Al Qasimi, and the organizing committee. Importantly, each edition of the championship reveals new talents and heralds the emergence of future stars.”