By Staff Reporter
Doha: The Qatar Chess Federation has announced the Hayat Plaza Open Rapid Chess Championship, which will take place from July 1 to July 4 at the open hall of Hayat Plaza Mall, bringing together around 80 male and female players in a celebration of competitive chess.
The tournament forms part of the Federation’s ongoing efforts to broaden the appeal of chess and strengthen its presence within the local community. Over the years, the Federation has partnered with various institutions across Qatar to organize similar events aimed at promoting the sport and encouraging wider participation.
The championship will begin on Wednesday at 5:00 PM with a special exhibition match featuring Grandmaster Viktor Bologan, who will take on 20 challengers, including chess enthusiasts and visitors to the mall.
Competition continues on Thursday with the Under-16 Rapid Chess Championship, which will start at 4:00 PM and be contested over seven rounds.
On Friday, Qatari players will compete in their own Rapid Chess Championship, also consisting of seven rounds.
The event will conclude on Saturday with the Open Rapid Chess Championship, featuring 80 male and female competitors playing nine rounds under the Swiss system.
Qatar Chess Federation President Mohamed Al-Modahka highlighted the strong level of participation across all categories, including the Open, Under-16, and Qatari players’ championships. He also commended the Federation’s partnership with Hayat Plaza Mall, describing it as an important step in expanding chess culture throughout the community.
“The Federation is committed to implementing its strategy by organizing a wide range of tournaments while continuing to develop the game across all areas of Doha and extending its reach to different regions of the country,” Al-Modahka said. “Hosting the tournament inside a shopping mall helps bring chess closer to the public by encouraging both participation and spectatorship. We look forward to continuing this successful initiative through partnerships with other commercial malls in the future.”
Hayat Plaza Mall CEO Firoz Mohiuddin reaffirmed the mall’s readiness to host the championship and expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing collaboration with the Qatar Chess Federation.
“The tournament attracts tremendous enthusiasm from participants and generates significant interest among visitors who come to watch the matches,” he said, adding that each edition continues to enjoy strong public engagement.
