Santiago triumphs at Rapid Chess Championship in Al Ain

The Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club concluded the Rapid Chess Championship as part of the Al Ain International Winter Chess Festival, held at the club’s headquarters in Al Ain, with wide participation from players of various countries.

The event featured a highly competitive atmosphere and strong technical standards.

The championship was played in the rapid chess format over seven rounds, with 10 minutes per player plus a three-second increment per move, which helped increase the pace of play and highlight the participants’ technical and skillful abilities.

The final results saw Reggie Mel Santiago crowned champion, Younes Al Khamiri finishing in second place, and Amer Mohamed Bishara securing third.

The tournament concluded with a prize-giving and medal ceremony, conducted by Sultan Abdullah Al Arif Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Youth Council, in the presence of Salem Al Hajri.

Sultan Abdullah Al Arif Al Dhaheri emphasized that the championship represents an important milestone within the Al Ain International Winter Chess Festival, contributing to promoting community sports engagement and fostering a culture of fair competition.

He also highlighted the club’s commitment to providing a professional competitive environment that brings together players from different nationalities, offering young talents the opportunity to develop their skills, gain experience, and continue pursuing excellence in chess.