UAE's first-ever Woman Grandmaster Rouda Essa Alserkal to play the Norway Chess Open 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
In a bid to encourage chess players in the Middle East and provide a platform at the global stage, the organisers of Norway Chess – one of the most prestigious tournaments in the FIDE chess calendar – has invited Emirate's first-ever female grandmaster Rouda Essa Alserkal to participate in the Norway Chess Open 2025 which will see participation from 31 countries.
The 15-year-old Rouda was formally presented with the invitation by Kjell Madland, Managing Director and visionary behind Norway Chess, today at a press event in Seven Seas Hotel in Dubai. Also present at the grand occasion was Dr Mansoor Al Tamimi, Vice Technical Committee Chair, the Technical Director from the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games. Koneru Humpy, two-time women's world rapid chess champion, also joined virtually and wished Rouda ahead of her upcoming events.
The Norway Chess Open 2025 will be held from May 26 to June 1 at the IMI Forum in Stavanger, attracting both grandmasters and ambitious chess players seeking title norms and valuable competitive experience. With previous participants like reigning World Champion Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa, and Vaishali, who participated in the Norway Chess Open as budding players before their meteoric rise in the sport, has established itself as an essential arena for players seeking high-level competition.
Speaking about providing this unique opportunity for Rouda, Kjell Madland expressed, 'Norway Chess is delighted to invite Rouda Essa Alserkal to participate in this year's Norway Chess Open 2025. I congratulate Rouda on the remarkable feat to become the first woman Chess Grandmaster from the UAE and she stands tall as an inspiration for women in this region to achieve. The Norway Chess Open provides a great opportunity for Grandmasters and chess players to hone their skills and gain competitive exposure. We hope to find and encourage many future chess stars from the Middle East to play in the Norway Chess Open.'
Madland further highlighted the importance of growing chess as a competitive sport in the Middle East and expressed interest in creating further synergies with potential partners in the UAE. 'We are exploring the possibility of hosting Norway Chess tournament in the Middle East and potential partners are welcome to connect with us. We are also working to broadcast Norway Chess live to the fans in the Middle East,' he said.
In the Norway Chess Open category, leading the list of participants is Rinat Jumbayev (KAZ), followed by strong contenders such as Gergely Kantor (HUN), Valentin Dragnev (AUT), Vitaly Kunin (GER), Norwegian Frode Urkedal (NOR), and Chinese grandmaster Jiner Zhu (CHN).
Expressing her excitement to participate in the Norway Chess Open 2025, Rouda said, 'I am looking forward to the competition as I know Norway Chess is the strongest grooming ground for future chess superstars. When I first heard that I am getting invited for the Norway Chess Open, I could not believe it and I was so thrilled, I told my coach immediately – that I need to start preparing. This is the most prestigious tournament in the world and I am sure this experience will help me improve my game further.'
'I am also greatly looking forward to meet Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, also some of the Indian players like the new World Champion Gukesh who will be participating in the Norway Chess 2025,' she added.
The Norway Chess Open features double rounds on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30, providing excellent opportunities for title norms in the top group. In the Grandmaster Group, which Rouda has been invited to participate, will have nine rounds, opportunity for title norms and a prize fund of €13,000.
Please see attached images from the event.
About Norway Chess 2025:
The Norway Chess Open is held simultaneously along with the marquee Norway Chess 2025 which will see a star-studded line-up featuring world no.1 Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Gukesh D (India), Fabiano Caruana (USA), Arjun Erigaisi (India), and Wei Yi (China) among the men while the Norway Chess Women will feature Ju Wenjun (China), Lei Tingjie (China), Humpy Koneru (India), Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine), Vaishali Rameshbabu (India), and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Spain).
Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women, feature the same format, same prize money, and take place in the same playing hall. Both tournaments follow a 6-player double round-robin format.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Barrios double gets Atletico back on track
Atletico were outclassed by PSG in a 4-0 loss at the Rose Bowl in Group B on Sunday but their quality was on full display in a convincing victory at Lumen Field. Seattle were hoping to emulate Inter Miami's upset victory over European opposition earlier in the day but while the Florida side can call on Lionel Messi, the Sounders have more modest talents and were fortunate to escape a heavier loss. The Spanish side looked determined to put the game to bed as soon as possible and with some better finishing they might have done so. Norwegian Alexander Sorloth missed an early opening and then Julian Alvarez showed deft footwork to weave his way into the box but floated his shot wide of the post. But the breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Giuliano Simeone, son of Atletico coach Diego, burst down the right and crossed low to Barrios whose fierce strike crashed in off the underside of the bar. Sorloth then wasted a great chance from close range, chesting down and blasting over the bar and he was denied by Stefan Frei when one-on-one with the Sounders keeper. It was one-way traffic but somehow Atletico only had the single goal to their name. They thought they had a penalty when Simeone was ruled to have been brought down in the box by Reed Baker-Whiting and the referee pointed to the spot but after being called to the monitor for a video review, he overturned his decision. At the other end, Baker-Whiting whistled a shot just wide on the stroke of half-time as Seattle began to show some of the spirit that they had shown in their narrow 2-1 loss to Botofogo in their opener. Simeone brought on Belgian Axel Witsel at the break and the 36-year-old made an instant impact - Marcos Llorente's shot was tipped onto the underside of the bar and Robin Le Normand clipped the ball across the box for Witsel to nod in and make it 2-0. That looked to be game over but Seattle fought back with a smart shot on the turn in the box from Albert Rusnak. Five minutes later though Barrios added his second when a long throw reached him at the back of the box and he placed his shot with precision into the far corner. Alvarez saw a volley from edge of the box hit the top of the post and the glimmer of hope gave Seattle cause to fight hard in the latter stages. The Sounders will be eliminated from the tournament if PSG avoid defeat against Botofogo later on Thursday. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
Mid East Info
09-06-2025
- Mid East Info
‘Dubai holds a special place in Magnus Carlsen's career', says father Henrick Carlsen - Middle East Business News and Information
Henrik Carlsen, father of five-time world chess champion and the newly crowned winner of this year's Norway Chess Magnus Carlsen, has hailed Dubai as a 'very special place' in his son's career for how the emirate has played host to some of the Norwegian star's most significant milestones. 'Dubai has been part of Magnus' chess journey for over 20 years now,' Henrik said during an exclusive interview on the sidelines of this year's Norway Chess that came to a close Friday here with Carlsen taking home his record seventh title after beating India's Arjun Erigaisi in a stunning round 10 win. 'He took his final GM norm there in 2004, won his first double crown in 2014, and played his last World Championship match during World Expo 2020. That kind of continuity is rare.' Carlsen, widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players in history with the highest peak ELO rating ever, became a grandmaster at the age of 13 – youngest at the time (and the second-youngest GM in history at the time after Sergey Karjakin, who earned the title at 12 years and 7 months) – after obtaining his third GM norm in the sixth edition of the Dubai Open in 2004. Since then, the 34-year-old has dominated the chess world for over two decades now. His father says anything after that early success has been 'a bonus.' 'I used to say that everything after he became a GM was a bonus – and the bonuses just kept coming,' Henrik said. 'He's still winning tournaments, still competing at the highest level even as he's preparing for a new chapter, becoming a father himself.' Dubai: Where Carlsen's game meets its match Dubai has played a pivotal role in Carlsen's illustrious career. In 2014, he clinched the FIDE World Rapid Championship held from 16 to 19 June, and just two days later, secured the World Blitz Championship, becoming the first player to simultaneously hold titles in all three FIDE-rated time controls. He returned in 2021 to successfully defend his World Chess Championship title against Ian Nepomniachtchi during Expo 2020 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre. One of the most memorable moments was Game 6, which stretched over nearly eight hours and 136 moves – the longest game in World Chess Championship history. This marathon match not only showcased Carlsen's endurance and strategic depth but also underscored Dubai's significance as a backdrop for monumental achievements in the chess world He returned once again to the emirate for the inaugural Global Chess League in 2023, when he reaffirmed his standing in the sport. Speaking to the media then, Carlsen had made it clear he considered himself the best – a bold reminder that his trademark swagger, accentuated by a ponytail and a calm demeanour, and supreme confidence remain undiminished. While his appearance – with an untamed mop of hair catching the breeze in Stavanger this week – may have evolved since, Henrik insists little has changed in his son's attitude. 'He's still the same cocky young man — and I mean that in the best way,' he said, as the world reeled from the now-viral 'table-banging' moment that followed Carlsen's dramatic loss to reigning world champion D Gukesh in Round 6. The video, capturing Carlsen's rare show of frustration, spread like wildfire across global media, turning into a sensational talking point not just within the chess world but far beyond. 'In our family, arrogance isn't a flaw if you've earned it — and Magnus certainly has.' Though speculation has swirled about a possible relocation to Dubai, Henrik denied any such plans. 'He's spent a lot of time there lately, mostly playing golf, but there are no plans to move,' he said. 'He knows all the golf courses there, but he's staying in Norway.' Still, the city remains deeply connected to his chess legacy. 'Chennai was his first World Championship match, but Dubai remains his last [as of now]. And in between, so many important things happened there,' Henrik said. 'For Magnus, it may well be the most special place in the world.' Carlsen, who first won the title in 2016, clinched his record-extending seventh Norway Chess title in Stavanger, finishing with 16 points – just ahead of American Fabiano Caruana (15.5) and Indian world champion D Gukesh (14.5). GM Anna Muzychuk, who finished runner-up last year, won the women's title ahead of China's GM Lei Tingjie and India's Koneru Humpy. Earlier, 15-year-old Emirati prodigy Rouda Al Serkal, a former world youth champion and the UAE's first Woman Grandmaster, wrapped up her maiden appearance in the tournament's open category with three back-t0-back wins.
Tahya Masr
03-06-2025
- Tahya Masr
OPPO and the UEFA Champions League Final: Powering Football Innovation On and Off the Pitch Empowering Future Football Stars Through Global Community Initiatives
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season reached its spectacular conclusion today at Munich Football Arena. As the Official Smartphone Product Partner of the prestigious competition for the third consecutive year, OPPO celebrated the event with a series of football-related CSR programs and cultural activations around the final as well as reaffirming its commitment to supporting football through innovation in technology and social initiatives. By integrating cutting-edge technology into football and strengthening connections between fans and the game worldwide, OPPO continues to empower footballers and supporters to truly "Make Your Moment", creating unforgettable experiences both on and off the pitch. Watch the Game Like Never Before with OPPO Technology Inside the Champions Village at Munich Football Arena, OPPO brought together football culture, highlights from the UEFA Champions League history, and the sporting spirit of Munich alongside the company's latest AI technologies and camera innovations. Football fans from around the world were given the chance to take AI-powered selfies with a virtual avatar of Spanish football prodigy and OPPO Global Brand Ambassador, Lamine Yamal, at the interactive booth, making their own hero moment powered by OPPO AI. Inter Milan legend, Marco Materazzi, also made a surprise appearance at the OPPO Hospitality Lounge, where he met with fans and demonstrated the latest OPPO technology. Alongside the OPPO and UEFA Champions League highlights on display at the Champions Village, the event also featured a showcase of OPPO's latest AI and photography technology . Pushing the boundaries of smartphone photography, OPPO's new camera zoom technology eliminates typical user challenges when shooting photo and video from a distance, enabling even spectators in the highest stands to capture stunning close-ups as if standing on the sidelines. Enhanced by other OPPO AI features like AI Unblur and AI Eraser, OPPO's camera technology empowers fans to effortlessly capture goals, saves, and more epic moments, transforming the on-pitch excitement into timeless, unforgettable memories . Creating a Global Platform for Football Culture Through Technology On the eve of the UEFA Champions League Final, OPPO invited Global Brand Ambassador Kaká, and Brazilian football legend Cafu, to lead a series of charity football training clinics for youth athletes from Brazil in Munich, providing a rare opportunity for the young footballers to learn directly from their football idols. Following the training, former England international, Micah Richards also joined for an exclusive 5v5 match with the up-and-coming players, with the legends using OPPO's AI-powered technology to capture picture-perfect moments from the pitch . On the day of the final, OPPO also brought together Kaká, UEFA Champions League legend Esteban Matías Cambiasso Deleau, and Chinese youth women footballers for a game of the ancient Chinese football-like sport, Cuju, connecting diverse football cultures past and present while showcasing football's unifying power . Through this extensive program of activities around the competition, OPPO is creating a global platform that connects fans and players around the world through the common language of football. By helping to promote football, improve players' technical skills, and provide inspiration from football heroes, these programs create valuable opportunities for youth development, elevating both the game and football culture globally. Empowering the Next Generation of Footballers Worldwide Through Community Programs Alongside its activations at this year's final, OPPO has been implementing a range of diverse sports development and talent cultivation programs worldwide throughout the season in its third year as the Official Smartphone Product Partner of the UEFA Champions League. In Brazil, OPPO has launched a comprehensive sports initiative across four communities in São Paulo to support youth football development. The program includes renovating local football pitches, donating sports equipment and supplies, providing professional training sessions, and facilitating pathways for young players to enter professional clubs. In Egypt, OPPO teamed up with The Maker Football School for #The MakerXOPPO DreamLeague a nationwide youth football tournament aimed at discovering and developing Egypt's top young football talents. In addition to hosting the competitive tournament, OPPO has provided comprehensive coaching and world-class player development programs to help aspiring young footballers turn their dreams into reality. In Mexico, OPPO also announced a strategic partnership with UNESCO, the municipal institutes of Sports of Puebla and Chihuahua to empower aspiring young football players across the country . Through the collaboration, OPPO will provide essential training equipment and cutting-edge technology to nurture the next generation of football talent and inspire professional football aspirations among local youth . Since beginning its partnership with the UEFA Champions League, OPPO has continued to empower football fans worldwide, with its advanced technologies and products making it easier than ever for fans to capture, share, and relive the game's most thrilling moments. Inside the stadium, OPPO's cutting-edge devices enable fans to preserve iconic match highlights and amplify their passion for football. Beyond the stadium, OPPO is also collaborating with global communities to provide development platforms, resources, and technologies that drive the sustainable growth of football. Moving forward, OPPO remains committed to connecting football fans worldwide through technology and unlocking the sport's untapped potential while empowering more football players and fans to "Make Your Moment .
