The Qatar Chess Association (QCA) is ready to host the Qatar Rail Open Chess Championship 2025, it was announced on Wednesday.
The tournament will coincide with World Chess Day that falls on July 20th and this year's tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of strategic prowess and a powerful vehicle for promoting the game in Qatar.
The opening gambit kicks off today, with the preliminary rounds at the Qatar Chess Training Center. A formidable field of 100 players will vie for supremacy in a high-octane, nine-round blitz format. The lightning-fast exchanges will determine which elite few will advance to the high-stakes final stage.
The championship's grand finale will unfold on Sunday, shifting to the unique and fitting backdrop of Al Bidda Station on the Doha Metro.
Here, twenty qualified masters will engage in a grueling nine-round Swiss system, battling for the coveted title. The Federation has left no piece unturned, meticulously arranging all logistical details and assembling a seasoned panel of arbiters to ensure fair play and smooth execution.
Mohammed al-Mudahka, President of QCA, lauded the tournament's enduring success, now in its third consecutive year. He emphasized the invaluable collaboration with Qatar Rail, highlighting their shared vision of "spreading the culture of chess in society."
Al-Mudahka expressed his optimism for an even deeper alliance, one that will propel QCA towards its ambitious goals of developing the game and forging a robust foundation for future generations.
In a statement to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), al-Mudahka underscored the strategic decision to host the finals at Al Bidda Metro Station. This innovative move, he believes, will not only elevate the profile of the tournament but also "contribute to the promotion of chess culture, both through participation and public viewing."
The President also pointed to the significant participation of national team players, a testament to the tournament's critical role in "building a generation that will support the national teams and lead the game in international competitions."
He reaffirmed that the championship is a cornerstone of the QCAs long-term strategy to "bring about a qualitative shift in the game and attract talent," serving as a crucial platform to "discover more promising and intelligent talents for inclusion in the coming period," thereby broadening the pool of elite players ready to represent Qatar on the global stage.
Echoing this sentiment, Abdulla Ali Al-Mawlawi, Communication & Public Relations Director at Qatar Rail, expressed immense satisfaction in partnering with QCA.
He acknowledged the resounding success of the previous two editions, stating: "Our sponsorship of the championship falls within our commitment to promoting community and sporting activities, spreading the culture of chess, and encouraging local talent in this sport."
Al-Mawlawi added: "We look forward to hosting the finals of this championship at the Al Bidda Station of the Doha Metro, which in turn supports our strategy to enhance the position of the Doha Metro network and the Lusail Tram, transforming them into preferred destinations for hosting various community events throughout the year."
As the clock ticks down to tomorrow's opening rounds, anticipation is building for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in Qatar's blossoming chess landscape.
