The opening of the landmark tournament at the Radisson Blu Hotel drew a host of senior figures including Younis Haji Al Khoori, undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Aziz Al Mualla, vice president of the International Chess Federation. Dr Ismail Ibrahim Al Khoori, president of the UAE Chess Federation, joined Hussein Abdullah Al Khoori, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club, for the launch of an event that runs through August 24. The gathering underscores years of deliberate investment in chess infrastructure that has positioned the UAE as a preferred venue for elite competition, the Emirates News Agency reported.
According to the organising committee, this year’s edition has drawn 2,250 participants including 300 Emirati competitors across multiple skill levels and four main tournaments. The figure marks a significant increase from prior years and reflects sustained efforts to broaden access to the game at all ages and abilities. Organisers have emphasised that the scale of the field demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing programmes to integrate chess into educational and community frameworks nationwide.
Hussein Abdullah Al Khoori expressed gratitude for the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the continued support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, which he credited with enabling the festival’s long-term success. He told attendees that the tournament offers local talent an opportunity to measure skills against international opponents while advancing the capital’s reputation for staging world-class sporting events. The chairman’s assessment aligns with data from the Ministry of Sports, which in July 2026 applauded the UAE Chess Federation for a pioneering governance model that has elevated national standards.
FIDE records show the UAE has hosted successive high-profile chess occasions including the 2021 World Chess Championship in Dubai, where Magnus Carlsen defended his title, and the inaugural Global Chess League that same year. Abu Dhabi additionally served as the venue for the International Chess Federation’s centenary celebrations in 2024, drawing participants from more than 80 countries in related activities. These repeated selections illustrate a consistent pattern of logistical excellence and regulatory support that major international bodies have repeatedly recognised.
The presence of 300 homegrown players at the current festival builds on a decade-long expansion of domestic chess programmes that have increased registered competitors and coaching resources across the seven emirates. A report from the UAE Chess Federation places the number of active local federated players well above earlier benchmarks, crediting partnerships with schools and sports clubs for the rise. Such growth has coincided with broader government initiatives to harness mind sports for youth development and cognitive education.
Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Aziz Al Mualla, speaking at the opening on behalf of FIDE, noted the UAE’s reliable delivery of events that meet the highest international standards for fair play and player welfare. His remarks echoed earlier statements from the world body praising the country’s venues and organisational capacity. The 32nd festival therefore forms part of an unbroken sequence of successful tournaments that have reinforced the UAE’s standing within global chess governance structures.
