UAE's first-ever Woman Grandmaster to play in Norway Chess Open
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, at a press event in Dubai on Wednesday.
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.
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.
Madland said the event will offer Rouda a unique opportunity to develop her game.
"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 said.
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 of Kazakhstan, followed by strong contenders such as Gergely Kantor of Hungary, Valentin Dragnev of Austria, Vitaly Kunin of Germany, Norwegian Frode Urkedal and Chinese grandmaster Jiner Zhu.
The Norway Chess Open features double rounds on May 29 and 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Int'l Cricket Council
a day ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Jaiswal, Gill with milestone tons on India's commanding day
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill scored prolific tons to shoulder India's batting push against England on the opening day of the five-match ICC World Test Championship series. Being put in to bat first by the home captain Ben Stokes, the duo scored their maiden tons in England to help India to 359/3 at Stumps. Jaiswal, who is playing his first Test in England, set a unique record en route to a special ton. The left-hander became the first Indian batter to score a century in his first ever Test in both England and Australia. Back in November 2024, Jaiswal had scored an emphatic 161 in his first Test in Australia to inspire India's famous win in Perth. Shouldering a lot of expectations going into his maiden tour of England, the opener meticulously crafted his fifth Test hundred at Leeds. Having gotten India off to a smooth start in the first session - adding 91 runs for the opening wicket with KL Rahul - Jaiswal went on to compile 101 runs off 159 deliveries. The innings included a whooping 16 fours and one maximum. It was Jaiswal's third century against England. His previous two had come in 2024, when the southpaw plundered a stunning 712 runs from the five-Test series at home - becoming only the second Indian batter to score more than 700 runs in one Test series. Accompanying him among the runs from the other end was Shubman Gill, who marked his first innings as India's Test captain in style. Gill, who scored his sixth Test ton, became only the fifth Indian batter to score a century in his first Test as captain. Player Opposition Venue (Year) Vijay Hazare England Delhi (1951) Sunil Gavaskar New Zealand Auckland (1976) Dilip Vengsarkar West Indies Delhi (1987) Virat Kohli Australia Adelaide (2014) Shubman Gill England Leeds (2025) The 25-year-old joined the exclusive club featuring Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar and Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper closed the day unbeaten at 127 off 175 deliveries, a knock laced with an equivalent 16 boundaries and one six as Jaiswal's. Alongside him in the middle, Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten at 65 off 102 deliveries, as India laid the foundation to set up a commanding first-innings total. ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsIndiaYashasvi JaiswalShubman Gill
Int'l Cricket Council
2 days ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy unveiled for England-India Tests
England and India greats James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar have been honoured with a newly named trophy – the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy – which will be contested in future Test series between the two nations. The England and Wales Board (ECB) unveiled the new trophy, which features the imagery of both Tendulkar and Anderson and also has their signatures engraved on it as a tribute to the two stalwarts. The two greats were present to mark the occasion ahead of the upcoming five-Test series between the two sides starting Friday, 20 June. Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, after whom the previous Pataudi Trophy was named, will continue to be honoured through the introduction of the Pataudi Medal, a new accolade that will be awarded to the winning captain of the series. England and India will compete for the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy for the future Test series // Photo via ECB Anderson, who represented England in 188 Test matches, claimed a whooping 704 wickets in the longest format – the third-highest in the format – before bringing the curtains down on his career last year after a five-Test series in India last year. The masterful seamer brought his best against India, amassing an incredible 149 wickets from 39 Tests, at an average of 25.47, including six five-wicket hauls. 'It's a proud moment for me and my family to have this iconic series named after Sachin and myself,' Anderson was quoted in a statement. 'The rivalry between our two nations has always been something special, full of history, intensity and unforgettable moments. 'To be recognised in this way is a real honour. I'm looking forward to seeing the next chapter unfold in England this summer. It promises to be compelling, competitive cricket - exactly what you'd expect from two great sides. This is elite sport at its finest.' Shastri sings James Anderson's praises | ICC Review India's legendary batter, Sachin Tendulkar, the first player with 200 Test caps, closed his red-ball career in 2013 with the most runs in the format, a record he still holds with a mammoth 15,921 runs, which include 51 centuries. The Indian icon delivered some memorable displays against England, scoring 2,535 runs at an average of 51.73, with a highest score of 193 at Headingley, the venue for the upcoming Test between the two sides. ICC Hall of Fame: Sachin Tendulkar 'For me, Test cricket embodies life – you give your best, and if things go wrong, it gives you another day to regroup, think, unlearn, and bounce back,' Tendulkar said. "It is the highest form of the game that teaches you endurance, discipline and adaptability, against all odds. I owe my foundation to Test cricket, as it has seen me grow from disappointments to triumphs, from aspirations to fulfilment. "India and England have played a big role in shaping Test cricket in a way that it remains an evolving inspiration for subsequent generations. 'And now, as I share this recognition with my on-field challenger and an off-field gentleman James, I hope that the world celebrates the essence of Test cricket even more - allowing it to traverse boundaries yet untrodden.' The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will be up for grabs in the five-Test series between England and India, marking the beginning of their new ICC World Test Championship cycle. NewsICC World Test ChampionshipSachin TendulkarJames Anderson
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
Gill's captaincy a blend of Rohit's ice and Kohli's fire, says England's Buttler ahead of first India Test
Shubman Gill's style of captaincy blends the fire of Virat Kohli with the ice-cool composure of Rohit Sharma but India's new Test skipper will carve out his own identity as he leads them in the upcomingTest series in England, Jos Buttler said on Tuesday. India named Gill as their new test captain in May, picking the 25-year-old top-order batter over pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah after Rohit quit the format. India have long recognised Gill's leadership qualities, previously naming him vice-captain in both white-ball formats, while he also had two seasons as skipper of Indian Premier League (IPL) side Gujarat Titans. 'He's a really impressive player and an impressive young man...,' Buttler, who played under Gill at Gujarat, said on the 'For the Love of Cricket' podcast. 'I feel like, on the field he's got a bit of fight about him - a bit of intensity, quite passionate. I think he'll be a mix of Kohli and Rohit. 'Kohli (was) that sort of real aggressive (character), really transformed the Indian team, in your face, up for the contest. Rohit a bit on the other side, a bit more laid back, very cool, calm, collected customer, but with that sort of fight. 'I feel like, from my time knowing Shubman so far, he'll be a bit in the middle. He's obviously learned from those two guys ... but he'll be very much his own man.' India play England in a five-match test series starting on Friday at Headingley, and Buttler said Gill will be in the spotlight. 'Kohli is the king, Shubman is the prince - that's the narrative that they spin out there, and I feel that he's the coming man,' said Buttler, who stepped down as England's white-ball captain in February after their Champions Trophy exit. 'Stepping into that number four, it's big shoes, isn't it? Coming behind Virat, and Sachin Tendulkar before that as well. That's obviously a huge role.' Meanwhile, Steve Harmison, the former England fast bowler, has suggested that the Ben Stokes-led side gains a significant mental edge from the retirement of Rohit and Virat. At the same time, Harmison feels that the stalwart duo's absence might similarly galvanise the Indian team and push them to play with increased intensity and cohesion. 'I think it gives (England) a mental boost to have no Rohit Sharma and no Virat Kohli. I think even though the two great players possibly weren't the great players they were five to ten years ago, the sight of Virat and Rohit being on a team sheet still holds a lot of weight. So with no great players as those two in the starting eleven, that also sometimes galvanises the team. 'When great players go out of the team, sometimes it makes the dressing room a little bit easier to be in because you've now got somebody that's going to go out there and score all the runs for you. You're going to have to take some responsibility yourself. So that'll be the challenge from the India team's point of view.' 'From an England point of view, they're not seeing those great players. Yes, it will give them a boost, but it's still going to be a very, very strong India side to play against. I'm expecting a close series, but I think England are favourites because this series is in England,' said Harmison. While India have the experience of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, as well as the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah and the excitement that Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant bring to the table, England are also sporting a youthful look through cricketers like Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, along with Ollie Pope. They also have the experience of Joe Root and the world-class skipper Ben Stokes on the table. Another factor that has been the talk of the town in England has been the increasingly ongoing dry weather this summer. At Headingley in Leeds, the venue for the series opener, there has hardly been rainy weather this year. Headingley has traditionally been a pacers' paradise, and the choice to bowl first to fully exploit the conditions seems prudent. Harmison, who picked 226 wickets in 63 Tests for England, offers a thorough explanation of the ideal lines and lengths to stick to in England, especially in the face of increasingly flat pitches and weather playing more of peek-a-boo. Agencies
