The eighth round's first move was made by the Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri, the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club, at the main hall of the Sultan Qaboos Complex in Bowsher, Muscat.

Round 8 saw players from Mongolia and Kazakhstan lead in all five categories. The rankings remain subject to change, especially in direct confrontations between the frontrunners.

Round 8 has not brought any significant changes in the Open U-2300.  Abilmansur Abdilkhair still leads with 7 points, half a point ahead of his closest competitors. He made a draw in an exciting game against Indian Kartavya Anadkat. Following him in the standings is the Mongolian player Naranbold Sodbilegt with 6.5 points. These two players are the main contenders for the title the U-2300 category.

In the Open U-2000,  Dashtogtokh Amarsaikhan of Mongolia secured the title after scoring his eighth straight win this time over the Indian player Ragavesh Velavaa. Heading  into the final round the trio of closest competitors - Sham, R,  Alikhan Khazhatuly and Pernekhan Ravil - are trailing the champion by 1.5 points.

In the Open U-1700, significant changes occurred in the eighth round, after Ganbat Danzanjunai of Mongolia defeated Aleksandr Martynov (FIDE) in a thrilling battle to take the lead. Aleksandr moved to the second position with 7 points after leading in the first seven rounds. The fate of the title will be decided in the final ninth round.

In the Women U-1700 category it came down to the wire as well. The race is on with Bat-Amgalan Anujin from Mongolia sharing the lead with her teammage Tsogdelger Anudari on 6.5 points after drawing her Round 8 game against Arun Aditi of India.

Text: WACC 2023 media team

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

Official website: worldamateur2023.fide.com/

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

Results of the rounds: 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

About 2023 World Amateur Chess Championship

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.