The Sharjah Chess & Culture Club is pleased to invite players to participate at the 1st Sharjah Masters international Chess Championship, which will be held at Sharjah Chess & Culture Club from 22nd March to 31st March 2017.
The Masters is held under the Patronage of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The tournament is open for all players rated above 1500 FIDE. The playing format is 9-round Swiss with the time control 90’+30”.
The total prize fund is US $60,000, with US $15,000 reserved for the winner.
A total of 195 players from 38 countries are registered to take part in the event. Among them is the impressive number of 80 Grandmasters. Full list here.
Even the FIDE Grand-Prix participants – Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Salem A.R. Saleh, Jon Ludvig Hammer – are coming back to Sharjah for the Masters Open.
Sharjah Chess & Culture Club is the biggest chess club in the world with 4000 sq/m of space for playing halls, class rooms, libraries and VIP space.
The club has 250 members of all ages and playing strength. The club is holding 25 chess events throghout the year, spanning from local to top FIDE level.
The word “Culture” in the club’s name reffers to the many other cultural and social events that are happening in this venue. The club is actively cooperating with the Cultural Department of Sharjah, and is even one of the two Sharjah polling places for UAE parliamentary elections.
When a junior member misses school classes for attending a chess tournament, the club is hiring a private tutor to help the student catch up with school.
During the holy month of Ramadan the club is hosting a general daily quiz in cooperation with the Sharjah Radio.
For the participants from abroad, Sharjah Chess & Culture Club is conveniently located near the Sharjah International Airport and the Centro Rotana Hotel.