KUWAIT: The first Kuwait International Chess Festival officially kicked off on Sunday, featuring five exciting tournaments with over 250 participants, including male and female chess masters, ranked players, and young talents from 25 countries.

In a press statement, Adel Al-Omairi, Vice President of the Kuwait Mind Sports Association, shared that the festival will host tournaments for Masters, Challengers, and Women, along with two rapid chess tournaments for both adults and juniors. The event is set to run for nine days, concluding on January 13.

Al-Omairi noted that the opening day marked the start of the first round in the Master, Challenger, and Women’s tournaments, with one round scheduled each day for the next nine days. He explained that the Rapid Chess Championship will consist of nine rounds, starting with five rounds on January 9, followed by the remaining four rounds on January 10. The Blitz Chess Tournament is scheduled for January 11, with all nine rounds played in a single day.

He stressed the importance of hosting such a major event, emphasizing its role in promoting chess among youth and juniors. Al-Omairi expressed confidence in the success of the five tournaments, predicting fierce and high-level competition, given the participation of top-tier players from around the world. He also extended a warm welcome to all the participating delegations. Al-Omairi concluded by expressing his sincere gratitude to the General Sports Authority for its vital support, ensuring that all necessary resources were in place for the success of this prestigious event. — KUNA