Latest news with #RoudaAlserkal
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
President Sheikh Mohamed meets Emirati chess prodigy Rouda Essa Alserkal
President Sheikh Mohamed met UAE's first woman grandmaster Rouda Essa Alserkal, providing further encouragement to the fast-rising teenager who has made giant strides in the world of chess. Sheikh Mohamed met Rouda, 15, during a reception at Qasr al Bahr in Abu Dhabi. There, the UAE leader 'reaffirmed the country's commitment to supporting young Emirati sporting talents, developing their skills and capabilities, and harnessing all available resources to empower them to achieve sporting excellence at regional and international levels', WAM reported. Rouda, a product of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club, rose to prominence last year when she became the first Emirati woman grandmaster at the Arab Women's Championship in Sharjah. That success resulted in an invitation to the prestigious Norway Chess Open, where Rouda represented the UAE in a competition that featured the top chess players from across the world. There, Rouda concluded her maiden appearance at the competition by winning three consecutive games. Rouda, who turns 16 next month, endured a tough start to the tournament but found form from round seven, when she notched her first win against Norway's Sigur H. Myny. She carried the momentum, scoring her second consecutive win late last month against Italian Mauro Pivi, and capped her campaign earlier this month with victory over France's Franck Gouanelle. She finished with three wins, two draws and four losses. 'It was a learning experience more than anything else,' Alserkal said. 'And I'm proud I stayed with it. Ending with three wins felt really special – I feel like I'm still leaving stronger than I arrived although I could have done much better.' The teenager, who is aiming for the main Grandmaster title in the coming years, said she will learn from her mistakes. 'I was honestly hoping to gain around 100 rating points,' Rouda said. 'Most of the rounds I lost, I was either winning or had a clear advantage but lost my way in the end. That's what frustrated me the most.' Tournament founder Kjell Madland lauded her fighting spirit. 'It is exactly this kind of story that reinforces Norway Chess as a truly global platform. To have young talents like Rouda travel all the way from the UAE to compete at this level adds richness and reach to what we're building here,' he said.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Chess: UAE star Rouda Alserkal makes history in Norway
Rising UAE star Rouda Alserkal made history on Tuesday by making her debut at the Norway Chess Open tournament. The 15-year-old, who became the UAE's first Women Grand Master (WGM) early this year, marked a new era for Emirati female chess players with her maiden appearance at the prestigious Norwegian chess tournament. Rouda put up a spirited display against her Ukrainian opponent Platon Galperin on Tuesday, but her efforts were not enough as Galperin recorded a 1-0 victory. 'It is sad not to start with a win,' Rouda said. 'But it was also incredibly valuable. Playing at this level is intense, and I know I'll grow from this.' While winning and losing is part of the sport, Rouda's participation in the high-profile event will give her invaluable experience as she looks to improve her game. 'It's been an incredible journey for me so far – one tournament at a time, learning from every game and gradually improving,' she said. 'Playing at an event like Norway Chess, alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, is a great experience. It shows how far I've come, and how much more there is to learn and achieve.' Rouda had already put the UAE on the world chess map by becoming the youngest player to earn the Women Grand Master title. 'She's breaking barriers that we didn't even know existed,' said Kjell Madland, Founder and tournament director of Norway Chess. 'For a young Emirati woman to compete in the open category at one of the world's top tournaments—it's inspirational. The significance of Rouda's journey stretches beyond sport.' Madland also felt Rouda's success will inspire more Emirati girls to chase their dreams in life. 'I am confident her courage and skill are paving the way for a new generation of Emirati girls who now see a future for themselves on the international stage — not just in chess, but in any field they choose,' Madland said. Rouda is now expected to face more top-level opponents in the next rounds. 'I'm just getting started,' she said. 'It's an honour to be here, and I'm going to fight hard every game.'
