The UAE is on the brink of welcoming its youngest chess Grandmasters, as prodigious talents as young as 11 make waves in competitive chess, all aiming for the prestigious grandmaster title.
“I began playing chess with my family at home. What started as a fun pastime evolved when I realized I could represent and win for the UAE,” said 12-year-old Alia Fahed AlHarazi to Khaleej Times.
Among the promising talents are Alia, 12-year-old UAE Under-14 Champion Mariam Khalifa AlQubaisi, and 11-year-old UAE medalists Abdulla AlBusaeedi and Khalid Sharif AlAlawi, all honing their skills at the Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games.
While balancing school, these students train two to three times weekly, steadily boosting their ratings and securing frequent tournament victories.
These young players excel on the chessboard while maintaining strong academic performances.
“My mom introduced me to chess as an after-school hobby. Over time, it became my daily routine and main ambition. I became a UAE champion and now aspire to be a grandmaster,” Mariam shared with Khaleej Times.
The young Emiratis are currently competing in an international chess festival in Abu Dhabi, gaining valuable experience to achieve their goals.
The 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, running until August 24, hosts 3,000 players from 82 countries and offers a Dh500,000 prize fund, positioning it among the world’s largest chess festivals.
Their ambitions are inspired by the Emirati chess legacy, which began in 1976 and saw Taleb Moussa become the first Grandmaster in 2004, followed by Salem Saleh, who reached a peak rating of 2690, ranking him among the top 50 global players.
“I aspire to be like Salem Saleh, a grandmaster who competes in master tournaments. With training, I hope to emulate him,” said Abdulla AlBusaeedi to Khaleej Times.
For these young talents, chess’s influence extends beyond tournaments. “I now think carefully before every action, thanks to chess,” shared Khalid AlAlawi with Khaleej Times.
Their local chess club hosts their training and encourages international competition. “The chess club feels like a second home where I find friends and have fun,” said Alalawi.
Currently, their attention is on the festival, testing their skills against international players. “I want to challenge myself against strong opponents and gain experience. Winning would be incredible, and I’m confident I can defeat rated players in the upcoming rounds,” Alya stated.
Alia’s goal is “to become the second Emirati female grandmaster and inspire more girls in the UAE to pursue chess.”
Earlier this year, 15-year-old Rouda Essa Alserkal became the first Emirati and Gulf player to achieve the Woman Grandmaster title.
Rouda’s success has motivated young Emirati chess players currently competing at the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival.
