Doha: The Qatar Chess Association, in collaboration with Hamad International Airport, organised a local chess tournament for 30 employees, creating a vibrant competitive environment that blended challenge with workplace camaraderie.
Hosted at Hamad International Airport, the event was conducted under rapid chess rules, with each player allocated eight minutes plus a two-second increment per move, demanding sharp focus and swift decision-making.
Bashir Nawali emerged as the champion with an impressive tally of seven points. Joshua Darkua secured second place with six points, while Pankun Banmel finished third with 5.5 points. Khalifa Mohammed claimed fifth place with five points, level with Jobert Johannes, who took sixth position.
Executive Director of the Qatar Chess Association, Hamad Al-Tamimi, expressed satisfaction with the successful partnership, noting that the tournament marked the launch of its inaugural edition. He highlighted that the initiative aligns with the federation’s broader strategy to expand the popularity of chess and encourage wider community participation.
Al-Tamimi added that the federation continues to strengthen its collaboration with national institutions as part of efforts to promote chess culture, particularly following the growing interest generated by major events hosted in Qatar, including the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships last December.
He further noted that the federation’s board has approved the inclusion of additional competitions within its annual calendar, aimed at expanding the player base and nurturing emerging talent to support national teams. These tournaments will also provide players with opportunities to assess their performance levels and gain valuable experience ahead of upcoming regional and continental events.
The tournament was overseen by Yousef Khalil Al-Mahasneh, head of the referees committee, alongside a team of local arbiters, ensuring that the competition adhered to the highest organisational and technical standards.
In recent years, the federation has intensified its efforts to organise open tournaments in partnership with various state institutions, reinforcing its commitment to developing the game and fostering competitive opportunities for players of diverse backgrounds and skill levels.
