The Inaugural National Chess Championships of Maldives 2011
| Wednesday, 13 July 2011 06:52 |
| The Maldivian Chess Federation under the presidency of Mr. Noohu Ali, has made all the arrangements to hold their 1st National Chess Championships from 14th to 18th July 2011, at the National Sports Building in Male. According to the remaining news, Maldives has played Chess even seven hundred years before. But modern Chess history goes more than two decades and Chess was like a hobby. But, few events were held including couple of rated players. During last few years, under current leadership, they had the privileged of playing Chess in India as well as in Sri Lanka. They were highly supported by their National Olympic Committee and were allowed to participate in Asian Games in Doha and China with some more Asian and World Indoor Games.
The new Zone President, Luxman Wijesuriya had the vision of having the neighbors more active and get the Maldivian players to participate in almost all the rating and official events in Sri Lanka. The Maldives was well participated in the Asian Zonal 2011 of the Zone 3.2 and a Maldivian Player has won the Bronze medal at the Asian Senior Championships both held in Sri Lanka. So, this friendship building among the Zone and Mr. Ali came with the idea of 1st National Chess Championships of Maldives, which was a dream of MCF for more than 20 years. On the recommendation of Mr. Hisham Al Tahar, the Secretary General of ACF, His Highness, Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nehyan, the president of the Asian Chess Federation has kindly decided to support the Maldivian Chess Federation in this remarkable moment. We pay our heartiest gratitude for His highness and all the officials of ACF. A total of 30 players have registered for the event which will be held as nine round Swiss System event. The best player among women will be declared as the 1st Women’s National Champion of Maldives. This will be a 1st step of making the Maldives a strong Chess playing Nation in Asia. Luxman Wijesuriya |
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