On 17 December 2013 an opening ceremony of the World Youth Chess Championships 2013 took place. This year a record number of 1850 chess players from 120 countries of the world is taking part in the competition. The tournaments among boys and girls in 6 age categories will be held in the UAE University in Al-Ain which is also known as Garden City. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nehyan, the President of the Asian Chess Federation delivered a welcome speech.

Later a sixfold champion of UAE GM Saeed played a blitz game on 4 boards with the winner of the Ukrainian Chess Championship Evgenij Miroshnichenko.

In conclusion a dancing entertaining programme "Emirates - a country of love, friendship and peace" was performed.