The 30th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival has concluded with the winners across various categories honoured in a closing ceremony.
The festival was held in Abu Dhabi from 15-25 August 2024 and featured the participation of more than 2,500 players from 82 countries, including elite international champions, and a record 333 male and female Emirati competitors.
The closing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club; Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Managing Director of the International Chess Federation; Aref Al Khouri, Vice President of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club; Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni, Representative of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; and Suhail Al Awadhi, Director of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival.S.
Aswath from India won the Blitz U16 title, while Farrukh Amonatov from Tajikistan won the Open Blitz tournament. Open tournaments A and B were won by Rajan M. Dinesh from India and Khudoyor Maraimov from Uzbekistan, respectively.Nodirbek Yakubboev from Uzbekistan won the Masters Championship, and Afruza Khamdamova from Uzbekistan won the Ladies’ Championship.Mansur Sharifi from Tajikistan took first place in the Schools Championship, which featured the participation of 400 male and female players from Abu Dhabi schools, while the Filipino community came first in the Communities Championship.
On the sidelines of the closing day, His Excellency Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri presented commemorative shields to the festival’s partners, which include the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the International Chess Federation, the UAE Chess Federation, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, Etisalat Group, Reportage Properties, Nirvana Group, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Riviere Water, the Italian International School, Mohammad Rasool Khoory & Sons Co., St. Regis Hotel, and Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche.
His Excellency Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri said that the Festival's overall excellence and success was a culmination of the support of the wise leadership for sports and athletes, alongside the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
The Festival recorded more than 2,500 male and female players participating - including elite international champions - which confirms its value as an esteemed sports event. Additionally, there was a record presence of 333 male and female Emirati players who gained significant experience competing against the best players from around the world.
