The third round of the World Amateur Chess Championship 2023 was held in Muscat, Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex, on November 4. The first traditional move was made by Eng Ismail Al Sawafi, Senior Manager of Public Relations and CSR at Oman LNG, the Gold sponsor of the event.

The championship is gaining momentum after two rounds, with the top players trying to enhance their positions in all five categories. Some games stretched over five hours as contestants pressed for a win very hard. 

The Open U-1700 category saw a surprising turn of events when the top-ranked player, Sergei Inyushkin (FIDE), drew against Yemeni player Nawaf Saleh. There were plenty of exciting games, including Mongolian player Turbat Todmunkh's victory over Paraguay Osmar and Omani Ahmed Al Rahbi's loss to Shek Daniel of England. Turbat took the lead after the third round with a perfect score, followed by his teammate Munkhbat, Batnyam.

In the Open U-2000 category, Finland player Esa Ahlqvist put in an impressive performance against the Indian player Ranjith, R.K., to win his third straight game. Sebastian Emil (FIDE) and Desandhi Dhihansa Gamage of Syria also scored victories to share the lead with Esa Ahlqvist.

In the Open U-2300 category, Kazakhstani player Zhuban Bigabylov emerged on top after three rounds, scoring 3/3 alongside his compatriot Abilmansur, Mongolian players Aldar, Burentegsh and Sodbilegt, Naranbold with 3 points each.

A highlight in the category was a fascinating duel between Syrian FM Malek Koniahli and Mahindrakar Indrajeet of India. This exciting game saw several nail-biting moments and ended with a draw. 

In the women's category under 1700, there were several unexpected outcomes. Baldanjantsan Khuslenzaya, from Mongolia, notched up an impressive win against Arun Aditi of India and is now tied for the lead with her compatriots Bat-Amgalan Anujin and Naranbold Sodgerelt.

The Chess Trainers Workshop organized by the Omani Chess Committee organized alongside the championship concluded today after three days of intensive training. Conducted by the International Arbiter / FIDE Trainer Ali Abbas of Syria and Bashir al Qadimi, the coach of the Omani national chess team, the workshop attracted 20 male and female trainers, all eager to enhance their knowledge in chess training. 

Round 4 of the World Amateur Chess Championship 2023 will start on November 5 at 1:00 p.m. CET. You can watch games live with expert commentaries on the Oman Chess Union YouTube channel.

Text: WACC 2023 media team

Photos: Entisar Nasser Al-omiiri, Hamed Al-Mabsali, Abduallah Al-Rashdi, Salma Hamood, Salem Al-Salhi

FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship 2023 is organized by the Omani Chess Committee together with the International Chess Federation, with the financial support of Gold sponsors: Syool, Apollo Hospitals, Oman LNG. Bank Muscat, Otaxi, Oronamin C Drink as well as Diamond sponsors: Asyad, OMIFCO, and Oman Airport.

Official website: https://worldamateur2023.fide.com/

Results and standings: https://worldamateur2023.fide.com/result/

Live games:

Open U-2300
chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/fide-world-amateur-championship-2023-u2300#live

Open U-2000: 
chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/fide-world-amateur-championship-2023-u2000#live

Open U-1700: 
chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/fide-world-amateur-championship-2023-u1700#live

Women U-1700 
https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/fide-world-amateur-championship-2023-w1700#live

Live broadcast (English/Arabic): youtube.com/@Omanchesscommitteeoman