Dr. Saif Al Nuami Inaugurates 4th Al Ain Classic Chess Tournament

The 4th Al Ain Classic chess tournament kicked off with a bang as former World Championship Challenger Alexey Shirov of Latvia secured an early lead by defeating Fide Master Peter Kokol of Slovenia in 47 moves. The tournament, held at the Hili Rayhaan Rotana Hotel in Al Ain, UAE, saw top players like former Ukrainian and Chinese champions Yuriy Kryvoruchko and Wang Hao dominating their first round opponents.

With a record number of 56 Grandmasters and 5 Women Grandmasters, along with 17 International Masters and 3 Women International Masters, the Al Ain Classic has attracted 127 players from 33 countries. The tournament also features an Amateur event for players rated below 2000, with a total of $64,000 in cash prizes up for grabs.

Games are scheduled throughout the week, with the final round taking place on Wednesday followed by the closing ceremony. The championship was inaugurated by Dr. Saif Al Nuami and Tournament Director Tarek Al Taher, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive event for chess enthusiasts around the world.