Katara International Ramadan Open Chess Championship

The main round competitions of the Katara International Ramadan Open Chess Tournament, which is organized by the Qatar Chess Federation until April 8, kicked off on Thursday, with the participation of 86 male and female players, in the multi-purpose hall in "Katara"The total prize money is 25,000 riyals. The first round competitions took place at exactly nine o’clock at night, according to the classic nine-round chess method, according to the Swiss system " 60 minutes + 30 seconds extra per move". The preliminary qualifiers took place in the rapid chess method of two matches, and in the event of a tie, a play-off match was resorted to, and the matches were held according to the Swiss system. "10 minutes + 5 extra seconds per move"And the knockout system was adopted directly, and the competitions witnessed the participation of 128 male and female players, who were divided into two groups. His Excellency Professor Dr. Khaled bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, Director General of the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara), said that this year’s tournament witnesses a large participation by male and female players, stressing that the tournament seeks to promote this game, pointing out the importance of these tournaments in the month of Ramadan, while praising them at the same time. The fruitful relationship between the General Organization of the Cultural Village / Katara / and the Qatar Chess Federation. added " It is no secret what the tournament has achieved over the past editions, as it gained great popularity, which was reflected in the number of participants, which amounted to 128 players of different ages and nationalities, in addition to the turnout of many young Qatari participants, which confirms the popularity of the game of chess in the world. Qatari community". And he concluded:"We are confident that it will be a distinguished tournament and meet our expectations in light of the great participation witnessed by the most prominent male and female players. We wish success to all throughout the days of the tournament. We must thank the Qatar Chess Federation for its continuous efforts to spread the culture of the game in society and its keenness to practice it, especially for the young age groups.". For his part, Mr. Mohammed Al Mudhahka, President of the Qatar Chess Federation, expressed his great happiness with the atmosphere in the opening competitions and the huge participation of national team players and players ranked on the international list. Al-Mudhahka added in a statement today:"The preliminary round competitions found a great turnout due to the great reputation enjoyed by the tournament since its inception years ago, and there is great eagerness on the part of all players to participate in this distinguished tournament, which had great contributions in expanding the base of playing this game, and its contribution to refining the skills of the players of the national teams And creating a generation capable of competing in international tournaments". The head of the Qatar Football Association praised the efforts of the Cultural Village Foundation "Katara" In maintaining the continuity of organizing this tournament, and supporting the activities of the federation and the competitions it organizes, pointing out that the federation is keen on this type of partnership with "Katara" In light of its great status, stressing the importance of strengthening the role of partnerships with national institutions to contribute to spreading the chess culture in Qatar. Al-Mudhahka concluded his remarks:" It is not possible to develop the game of chess and build a large base for it, without continuing to hold this type of tournament, and we have sought over the past years to dedicate these tournaments and put them within an annual agenda to contribute to refining the skills of the players of the national teams and providing them with important friction opportunities, in order for them to have an important presence in the period The next, and the combined tournaments presented many talents that will serve the age teams, and we look forward to developing them in the next editions" .