The first Bahrain Chess Championship took place in 2023 and was a great success. The event brought together Bahraini chess players from all over the country, and offered a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the game. The future of the Bahrain Chess Championship looks bright, and the local chess community is looking forward to next year’s edition.
With the support of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Chess Federation will continue to grow and bring out the best from Bahrain’s vast pool of talent. The team of organizers is committed to creating a vibrant and friendly atmosphere for all participants so that everyone can enjoy the game of chess.
HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa at Bahrain Chess School Tournament in 2022
The first Bahrain Chess Championship made a milestone in the history of chess in Bahrain. It has been made possible due to the edict issued in Jan 2023 by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, which led to the formation of the Bahraini Chess Federation.
The opening of the first Bahrain Chess Championship in 2023 was a remarkable celebration for the entire nation. Over 120 players from various governorates gathered to participate in this massive event that stretched over three weeks.
The atmosphere of camaraderie permeated the whole tournament, and the enthusiasm for the game was clear to see as people eagerly discussed their moves and strategies. What began as just another regional event ended up becoming a high-energy gathering whose wholesome appeal quickly spread through word-of-mouth, drawing in more chess fans than initially believed possible. The national men’s team of Bahrain for the year 2023, which was formed after the tournament, consists of the champion Husein Ayyad (pictured below), Maher Ayad, Khalaf Boukhlef, Ibrahim Burshid and Ali Al-Ghasra.
Bahrain Women’a Champion (2023) Hawra Sharaf
Final standings:
|
1 |
FM |
Ayyad, Husain |
2220 |
8½ |
|
2 |
FM |
Ayyad, Maher |
2090 |
8 |
|
3 |
Bukhalaf, Khalaf |
1836 |
7 |
|
|
4 |
Al-Burshaid, Ebrahim |
1704 |
7 |
|
|
5 |
CM |
Al-Ghasra, Ali |
2048 |
7 |
|
6 |
Shaker, Musab |
1709 |
7 |
|
|
7 |
Taqi, Mohamed |
7 |
||
|
8 |
Monther, Alfardan |
6½ |
||
|
9 |
Sharaf, Hawra |
1272 |
6½ |
|
|
10 |
Obaid, Abdulrahman |
1280 |
6½ |
You can find complete results here:
https://chess-results.com/tnr721779.aspx?lan=1&art=4&turdet=YES&flag=30
The national women’s team of Bahrain for the year 2023 was also formed following the tournament and consists of Hawra Sharaf, Maram Al-Mousawi, Wafaa Ibrahim, Naglaa Ahmed and Sondos Obaid.
Bahrain Womeen Champion (2023) Hawra Sharaf
Based on the tournament results, various boys teams, Under 20, Under 18, Under 16, Under 14, Under 12 and Under 10 were formed. The top players in each category are Mohamed Taqi (Under 20), Abdul Rahman Obaid (Under 18), Ronen Abdullah (Under 16), Sayed Hashim Ali (Under 14), Mahmoud Al-Mousawi (Under 12) and Jad Tariq Jawad (Under 10).
Similarly, for the girls, the players chosen for each category are Honorable Mention Hawara Sharaf (Under 20), Maram Al Mousawi (Under 18), Sondos Obaid (Under 16), Dania Obaid (Under 14), Reem Al Salman (Under 12) and Joud Al-Faraj (Under 10). All these players are highly talented and have the potential to bring glory to Bahrain in international tournaments.
The event was officiated by a team of arbiters as follows: Chief ArbiterFA/FT/CM/SI Larbi Ben Yahya, Deputy Chief ArbiterNA Mohsin, Basim A. Arbiter : IM/FT/NA/ Mohamed Tissir| NA Mostafa Salah| NA Amal Jawad Alhashemi| NA Ahmed Ebrahim Hasan
The event’s arbiters
The first Bahrain Chess Championship was a resounding success, with many participants and spectators. This popularity is only set to increase in Bahrain and the broader region as chess continues to gain traction. With its rich history and strong foundations, Bahrain is poised to become a leading force in the world of chess. We hope to see you at the next edition of the Bahrain Chess Championship!
Text: Ebrahim Al-Burshaid
Photo: medium.com
