Algeria’s Jamal Ferhi won the men’s title while India’s Pronati Sahni emerged victorious in women’s event at the first edition of the Al Raheeb Open Chess Championship, organised by Al Rayyan Sports Club in cooperation with the Qatar Chess Federation.
A total of 120 players participated in the two-day event held at the Al Rayyan Club. The tournament was held in presence of Secretary General of the Qatar Chess Federation Yousef Mohamed al-Mutawa, Vice President of Al Rayyan Club Ali Salem Afifa and Director Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Sports and Youth Fawaz al-Misifi,
The tournament was held over two days in a blitz chess manner according to the Swiss system of 7 rounds/10 minutes + two seconds. Ferhi topped the men’s section with India’s Sayed Abdelkader comin in second place, while Philippines’ Filipino Angelito Alexander was third. Irfan Mohamed Ferdous was awarded the best Qatari player award and Amer Al Hammadi was the best Qatari player under 12 years.
In the women’s category, Pronati Sahni finished ahead of Qatar’s Radwa al-Qasabi. India’s Gauri Lakshmi came in third place, while the best Qatari player award went to Lian al-Qasabi.
Yousef Mohamed al-Mutawa, Secretary General of the Qatar Chess Federation, was delighted with the success of the first edition of the Al-Raheeb Championship.