A record 164 players from 32 countries are competing in the 14th Dubai Open going on 14-23 April 2012 at the Dubai Chess Club in United Arab Emirates. With 21 players in the 2600 level, it is one of the strongest Dubai Opens ever with 36 GMs, 5 WGMs, 23 IMs and 15 FMs.

In photo above, Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum (center) visited the tournament hall bearing his name and started the game on top board. With him are, from left, Chief Arbiter Mahdi Abdulrahim, Dubai Chess Club and Arab Chess Federation president Ibrahim Mohammad Al Bannai, UAE Chess Federation and Sharjah Chess Club president Sheikh Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Mualla and Khaled Al Mudfaa, Assistant General Secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports.



Ahmed Khalifa Al Thani (right), Financial Manager of the Dubai Chess Club and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, delivers the keynote address at the opening ceremonies.

Other Organizing Committee members are Jamal Al Abdouli, Abdulkarim Al Marzougi and Najeeb Saleh, and Coordinator Mohamed Al Husseini.

The Appeals Committee is composed of Chairman Abulkarim Hassan (UAE), GM Ghaem Maghami Ehsan (IRI) and Basim Amin (EGY) with reserves Abdulmalik Zhansaya (KAZ) and Semiev Surab (TKM).

At stake in the tournament is the Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup and $50,000 in cash prizes.

Follow live games in the Dubai Chess Club site. Watch video of the opening and first round in youtube. In the opening round, top seed GM Baadur Jobava of Georgia led favorites in first round victories. Visit chess-results.com for results and standings.