GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and WGM Khademalsharieh Sarasadat, both of Iran, won the Men’s and Women’s Zone 3.1 Zonal Championships, respectively, organized by the Royal Jordanian Chess Federation under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation from 18 to 27 June 2019 in Amman, Jordan.

Thirty players from ten countries competed in the Men’s Zonal championship in a 9-round Swiss while ten players from four countries competed in a round robin in the Women’s zonal. Visit chess-results.com for results and standings, and to download games.

Maghami finished alone undefeated with 8 points, beating, in order of rounds, CM Loay Sameer and FM Mansour Samee of Jordan, IM Nezad Husein Aziz of Qatar, drawing with IM Gholami Aryan of Iran and FM Issa Rafat of Jordan, followed by four straight wins against GM Pourramezanali Amirreza of Iran, FM Salih Akar Ali Salih of Jordan, FM Alhuqar Jasem of the UAE and FM Abdulwahhab Ahmed Abdul Sattar of Iraq.

IM Sarasadat finished in a tie with compatriot WIM Alinasah Mobina at 8.5 points each. They beat all other participants and drew with each other. They had the same tie break scores but Sarasadat won both games in the Rapid chess playoff.

The tournament was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Talal who was represented by His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Abu Rumman, the Minister of culture and Youth. Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher and Royal Jordanian Chess Federation president Nawaf Irshedat attended the awards ceremonies.

FIDE Zone 3.1 President Sami Khader organized the tournament in the 4-star MENA Tyche Hotel in Amman. Chief Arbiter was Iran Chess Federation president Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh. Winners shared a total of $5,000 in cash prizes. The men’s and women’s champions qualified to the respective World Cups.



GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami receiving his trophy. From left are: Zone 3.1 President Sami Khader, Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher of the UAE, Jordanian Minister of culture and Youth Dr. Mohammad Abu Rumman and Royal Jordanian Chess Federation president Nawaf Irshedat.



WGM Khademalsharieh Sarasadat receiving the women’s championship trophy.



Dignitaries at the closing ceremony.



Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher addressing the awareds ceremony.