Rabiaa reveals Salah's chess prowess as World Junior Blitz Chess Championship nears end
- Last updated: November 8, 2026 | 10:46
Al Ain defender and Egypt international Rami Rabia made the ceremonial first move in the seventh-round meeting between Indian Grandmaster Pranav V and Egyptian International Master Abdelrahman Sameh at the World Junior and Girls Under-20 Blitz Chess Championship, hosted at Danat Al Ain Resort.
The occasion was attended by Hisham Al Taher, Secretary-General of the Asian Chess Federation, Managing Director and CEO of Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club, and the tournament director.
Rabia toured the competition hall, watched several matches and also played a friendly game of chess with Al Taher.
The defender, who joined Al Ain from Egyptian giants Al Ahly, expressed his delight at visiting the championship, praising the competitive atmosphere and the high standard of play on display.
He revealed that chess is one of his hobbies and said watching players compete for world titles gave him an opportunity to witness the quality of chess at the highest international level.
Rabia also disclosed that chess is among the games enjoyed by Egypt national team players during training camps, alongside backgammon, video games and card games.
He singled out his team-mate Mohamed Salah as the strongest chess player in the national team, saying the former Liverpool star regularly outplays his team-mates and is particularly fond of playing chess on his mobile phone.
Al Taher welcomed Rabia's visit and thanked Al Ain Sports Club management for its cooperation and support in facilitating the player's attendance at the championship.
The blitz competition was held as part of the 2026 World Junior and Girls Under-20 Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, organised by Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club in cooperation with the UAE Chess Federation and under the supervision of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).