Muscat: The Muscat International Chess Masters Championship continued as part of the Muscat Nights festival on Monday, aimed at enlivening winter evenings with activities that blend culture, sports and entertainment. With the launch of the sixth round, the championship witnessed fierce competition among a selection of top local and international chess players, showcasing high levels of competitiveness and thrilling performances.
The tournament, running until Tuesday, features 200 players representing 22 countries, reaffirming its status as one of the most prominent championships on the international stage. The matches are played in a Swiss-system format over nine rounds, with each player allotted 90 minutes of thinking time, plus a 30-second increment per move.
The sixth round was marked by intense matches, highlighted by the draw between Egyptian Grandmaster Adham Fawzy and Uzbek International Master Najmatov in a game full of excitement until the final moments. In another match, Uzbek Grandmaster Abdusalamov asserted his dominance by defeating Algerian Grandmaster Bilal Ben Hassan.
On the local front, Omani player Hamood al Busaidy achieved a significant victory against Egyptian Grandmaster Shahenda Wafaa, reflecting the rising level of Omani players in the tournament.
Meanwhile, in an all-Iranian showdown, Grandmaster Gholami triumphed over his compatriot Sabih. Filipino player Emerson continued his winning streak with a well-deserved victory against Egyptian Imad Abdel Nabi. In another match, India's Siriyas delivered a remarkable performance, overcoming Iraqi Ali Farhad, while Omani Mohammed al Saidi clinched an exciting win against compatriot Emad al Balushi.
With more exciting rounds ahead, the tournament is expected to culminate in a grand finale. The closing ceremony will honour the winners and highlight their achievements on the international stage.
All eyes remain on this championship, which combines intellect, competition and the spirit of sportsmanship, solidifying chess's position as one of the leading sports in Oman and on the global stage.
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