Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi, President of the Arab Chess Federation and President of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club, inaugurated the Zawaya Walk International Chess Championship. The tournament, organized by the club, features the participation of 120 male and female players at the state level, along with international players from 25 countries. The Swiss system, consisting of 9 rounds, governs the competition.
On the first day, comprising five rounds, the lead after the fifth round was secured by the esteemed international professor, Greek Efstratios Grivas, with a perfect score of five points. Tying for the second position with four and a half points were the Uzbek Alex Barsov and the Filipino Levi Mercado. Seven players shared the third spot with four points: Indian Vihan Demir, Egyptian Ramez Samir, Filipino Espios Christian, compatriot Brett Michel, Salem Abdel Rahim of Sharjah Club, Uzbek Shakhnuza Sabirova, and Nigerian Fakwande Babtodi.
The tournament continues today with rounds filled with excitement and suspense. The highlight includes a match between international grandmasters Greek Efstratos Grivas and Uzbek Alexei Barsov. Other notable matchups feature Egyptian Ramez Samir against Filipino Levi Mercado, Uzbek Shakhnuzza Sabirova against Filipino Espios Christian, and Sharjah player Salem Abdel Rahim against Filipino Brett Michel.
The opening ceremony was attended by key figures, including Obaid Awad Al Tunaiji, founder of Zawaya Mall, Omran Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the Sharjah Chess Club, and other dignitaries. The event also included the honoring of the late Ali Saeed Abu Khalil, the founder of chess in Sharjah, in the presence of his sons.
