The celebration of FIDE's 100-year anniversary continues as the FIDE 100 Torch Relay arrives in the United Arab Emirates. This is the last stop of the torch before it reaches its final destination in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, coinciding with the launch of the 2024 Chess Olympiad scheduled from September 10 to 23.

The event was held at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabiunder the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and organized by the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club.

The event was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Mualla, Vice President of the International Federation, Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club, Mohammed Al Mudahka, President of the Qatar Chess Federation, Viswanathan Anand, five-time World Champion and Deputy President of the International Chess Federation, alongside officials from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan received the commemorative gold medal from Arkady Dvorkovich on the occasion of the centenary celebration. He also participated in the launch of the exhibition matches on the sidelines of the ceremony. Mohammed Al Mudhahka and the African and Arab champion, Grandmaster Ahmed Adly, played against 15 players simultaneously.

During the ceremony, Arkady Dvorkovich noted that the game of chess is rapidly developing in the UAE, thanks to the support it receives and the increasing interest it holds. He additionally expressed his happiness with the great passion of the participants in the 30th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival.

Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri stated that the torch relay event in Abu Dhabi, held to mark the centenary of the International Federation, achieved great momentum. The event was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and senior officials, further solidifying the UAE and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi's strong position in organizing and hosting international sporting events.

The torch relay in Abu Dhabi was in sync with the ongoing 30th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival. Known as the region's largest chess festival and one of the world's best, it welcomed more than 2,200 players from 82 countries this year. Its spotlight tournament is the Master's tournament, which hosted 217 overall players, 200 of whom are titled. In round 7, the Master's tournament was inaugurated by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and five-time world Champion and FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand.