43 nations to compete in Dubai Chess Open
185 players set to attend event at Dubai Chess Club from April 5-15
PUBLISHED: 17:42 APRIL 1, 2015
STAFF REPORT

Dubai: A total of 43 countries will vie for the prestigious Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup at the 17th Dubai Open Chess tournament at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club from April 5-15, it was announced on Tuesday.

The list of confirmed participants has so far totalled 185 players, including 56 men’s grandmasters, 20 international masters and 14 women’s grandmasters.

Belarus’ grandmaster Sergei Zhigalko is the highest-rated men’s player set to attend with a rating of 2681, while women’s grandmaster Karavade Eesha from India is the highest rated female participant with a rating of 2398.

Players will bid for a cut of the $50,000 (Dh184,000) prize-money, with the winner set to take home $12,000. Cash prizes will be shared among the top 18 players with prizes for top local, Arab and female contenders. All games will be broadcast live online via www.dubaichess.ae.

Ebrahim Al Bannai, Chairman of Dubai Chess and Culture Club, said: “The Dubai Open Chess Tournament is recognised as one of the strongest and best-organised tournaments in the world. We continue to improve from each tournament, providing players with the best playing conditions.

“On behalf of my fellow board members, all members of the club and the entire UAE chess family, I would like extend my utmost gratitude to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Finance Minister, for his support that has made the Dubai Open one of the most prominent chess tournaments in the world,” he added.

Source: http://gulfnews.com

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar