The UAE Chess Federation and Mubadala Foundation announced a strategic partnership that focuses on sustainable development of the sport throughout the country. The agreement establishes an integrated pathway for talent identification that begins in schools and extends through advanced training for national team members. It includes provisions for spreading chess into more schools, clubs and academies while creating specialized programs that allow gifted players to advance their technical and competitive standards. The two organizations will collaborate on support for major tournaments, including national cups, league events and competitions rated by the International Chess Federation.
Under the partnership, advanced preparation programs will bolster national team readiness for upcoming regional and global events. The initiative seeks to embed chess more deeply into Emirati society by targeting youth at an early stage to build mental agility and strategic thinking abilities. According to the UAE Chess Federation, more than 8,000 students had already shown strong interest in similar school-based programs launched in 2025, which trained over 500 teachers and incorporated the International Chess Federation curriculum. This latest collaboration builds directly on those foundations to scale participation further.
Khalid Al-Rashidi, chairman of the Mubadala Foundation board of directors, described chess as an important platform for youth development. He stated that the foundation is keen to provide opportunities contributing to the preparation of generations capable of success while strengthening critical and strategic thinking skills among emerging national talents. Al-Rashidi added that the partnership would help create meaningful pathways for young players across the UAE.
Dr. Ismail Ibrahim Al-Khouri, president of the UAE Chess Federation, called the agreement a significant milestone in the sport’s growth trajectory. He said the partnership supplies sustainable support for a comprehensive system that starts with talent scouting in schools and clubs before progressing to elite preparation for national squads. Al-Khouri noted that the collaboration would enhance the UAE’s visibility on both regional and international chess maps through consistent investment in player development.
The partnership arrives months after the Ministry of Sports launched the Chess Digital League in April 2026 in coordination with the UAE Chess Federation, the Ministry of Education and other bodies. That competition, held under the slogan “Your Move. Your Moment,” attracted more than 7,000 student participants from across 500 schools and distributed prizes exceeding 60,000 dirhams. Such programs underscore a broader national emphasis on mind sports as vehicles for cognitive skill enhancement among students.
Both parties intend to maintain momentum by coordinating on additional training initiatives and tournament calendars in the coming year. The UAE Chess Federation has indicated that instructor certification courses will continue alongside these efforts to raise overall coaching standards nationwide. These combined activities aim to ensure a steady supply of competitive players capable of representing the country at the highest levels.
