American teenager Brewington Hardaway, the pioneering African-American chess grandmaster, has triumphed in one of the world’s most esteemed chess tournaments held in the UAE.
The 16-year-old excelled in the Open category at the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, securing nine wins and two draws over 11 rounds to capture the prestigious title. His achievement stood out among over 700 competitors from 52 countries in the blitz tournament.
Hardaway’s victory marks another significant achievement in his remarkable chess journey. As the youngest African-American to attain grandmaster status, he outplayed opponents from 52 nations in Abu Dhabi.
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Israeli International Master Benny Aizenberg became the tournament’s standout story, jumping from 44th to second place overall. His surge included wins over seasoned grandmasters from China and Armenia.
However, the event was not without controversy. Iranian grandmaster Sina Mohaved, 14, forfeited his match against Israeli International Master Aizenberg, a recurring issue at international chess events, reflecting a common policy by Iran in global sports, especially chess.
The festival highlighted emerging chess talent across various categories. In the women’s division, Filipino Women Grand Master Mae Frayna claimed victory, remaining undefeated with just two draws in nine rounds, finishing with 8 points.
The Under-16 category saw dramatic outcomes as Iranian Fide Master Barad Yeganegi rose from eighth place to win the title, gaining 103 rating points. Yeganegi concluded with 10 points, tying with fellow Fide Master Radin Yadegar, who lost only to Yeganegi in the tournament.
Romanian chess prodigy Edward Tudor secured third place in the Under-16 category, despite setbacks, including a loss to lower-ranked Uzbek player Bezkod Jamvaev, in an unexpected turn.
The Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival attracted a record-breaking 3,000 participants across 27 tournaments from 84 countries. Organizers noted these figures surpass many established international chess competitions.
Chess officials highlighted the festival’s role in uniting players from diverse backgrounds, featuring competitors from amateur enthusiasts to elite grandmasters, spanning various age groups and skill levels.
