Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival will run from 15–24 August 2025 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche. The festival offers total prizes of AED 500,000.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Chess & Mind Games Club under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, this year’s edition has attracted more than 3,000 participants from 82 countries, surpassing last year’s numbers by over 500 players, and positioning the festival among the world’s largest and most prestigious chess events.
The festival features 27 tournaments across age groups and skill levels, highlighted by the Masters Tournament, and introduces three new mind sports competitions: checkers, dominoes, and Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess). These additions reflect the festival’s growing appeal to a diverse audience of mind games enthusiasts.
Top UAE players participating include Imran Al Hosani, West Asia Youth Champion, Arab Youth Champion, and UAE Men’s Champion, along with Roza Issa Al Serkal. International stars headlining the Masters Tournament include Sanan Sjugirov and Arkadij Naiditsch, while other notable UAE representatives include Ammar Al Sderani, Ahlam Rashid, Abdulrahman Al Taher, and Hamad Al Kaaf.
Beyond the competitive stage, the festival promotes cultural exchange and tourism, offering participating delegations opportunities to explore Abu Dhabi’s landmarks and heritage, reinforcing the emirate’s reputation as a global hub for sport, culture, and tourism.
–Input WAM
