MUSCAT: The Fide World Amateur Chess Championship 2023 commenced on Thursday evening in Muscat, marking the beginning of an exciting competition that brings together amateur chess players from around the globe. This event is being organised by the Oman Chess Committee in partnership with the International Chess Federation, Fide.
The championship’s opening was graced by the presence of Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary for Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. The championship will run from November 2 to November 11 and will take place in the main sports hall at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
A technical meeting convened on Thursday morning, where key modifications to the rules of play and the playing system were discussed and clarified. These changes aim to enhance the competitiveness and fairness of the championship.
The event also unveiled a comprehensive transportation schedule for players to ensure their smooth transit to and from the championship venue. Mehdi Abdulrahim, a Fide member, offered valuable insights into the rules and regulations that players must adhere to while inside the playing hall.
The championship’s schedule features nine rounds of chess, where two player categories will be merged to intensify the level of competition. Each round will consist of 90 minutes of play, with an additional 30 seconds allocated per move. Spectators and chess enthusiasts worldwide can follow the action through a live online broadcast, accessible on the tournament’s dedicated website.
The transportation infrastructure is fully prepared to shuttle players seamlessly between their accommodations and the championship venue, with an emphasis on punctuality and adherence to the schedule. The championship will also rigorously enforce fair play and time control measures in accordance with the established rules and guidelines.
Each day, except for the final day, the matches will start at 4 pm. Participants can rest assured that they will receive unwavering support to ensure their safety and the successful execution of the championship.
Solakoglu Ozgur, a representative from FIDE, expressed his delight at the participation in the World Amateur Chess Championship, with over 400 players hailing from as many as 64 different countries. He said that this remarkable turnout might well be a historic record for the World Championship, underscoring the event’s status as a truly global competition.
He also noted the importance of the early stages of the tournament, such as the tactical meeting and the first round, expressing confidence that everything would proceed smoothly. Ozgur emphasised the favourable conditions and the absence of any complaints from the players, highlighting that complaints in such events are typically swift to surface.
He expressed hope for a successful and competitive tournament and praised the inclusion of special trips for the players to explore the unique attractions of Muscat, enabling them to relish the city and the tournament experience.
Furthermore, Ozgur emphasised the significance of this being an amateur tournament, as it allows participants not only to compete but also to discover the location and revel in the tournament atmosphere. He concluded by underscoring the pivotal role of amateur tournaments in the chess world, as they form the foundation of the sport and provide a platform for the countless amateur players worldwide to engage with chess and foster its growth and visibility.
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