2015 Al Ain International Youth Open Chess Championship just started today at 10:30 AM with more than 100 athletes challenging their brain from over 15 countries. Countries include Mongolia, United States of America, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar, India, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and world top ranking Russia. United Arab Emirates as a host have 56 athletes participating the competition. The Top seed of the tournament is FM Viktor Mativiyishen from Ukraine who is the champion of European Youth Chess Championships 2014 and his rating is currently 2374 as 1st of April. Today on the 1st board, FM Viktor Matviyishen is white against Emerati player Ahmed Rashed Al Shamsi from UAE. Regarding the first move ceremony's visitors were logistic manager and competition commission director Mr. Tarek Ali Al Taher, competititon organizational delegate Mr. Ahmed Adel Ahmed, representatives of Qatar chess team and the Hili Rayhaan by Rotana hotel representatives. The 1st round started at 10:30 AM today.



As round 1 drew to end, Ukranian chess FIDE master Viktor Matviyishen who is 12-year-old with #1 rating holding 2374 won against UAE chess player Ahmed Rashed Al Shamsi with white. Kazakhstanian Agmanov Zhandos also won against UAE chess player Al Mazrouae Abdulrahman with white. Agmanov Zhandos has #6 rating holding 2201 as his teammate FIDE Master Makhnyov Denis has #2 rating 2347.

THE BEST GAME OF THE DAY

Akhundov, Akif - Makhnyov, Denis 2347

Al Ain International Youth Open Chess Championships 2015, Round 1.

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Be3 Nf6 6. f3 a6 7. a3 d5 8. exd5
Qxd5 9. Nc3 Qe5 10. Qd3 Bd7 11. O-O-O Be7 12. Be2 Rd8 13. f4 Qc7 14. Rd2 O-O
15. Bf3 Na5 16. g3 Nc4 17. Re2 Rc8 18. Ne4 Nxe3 19. Qxe3 Rfd8 20. Rd1 Ba4 21.
Nc3 Be8 22. f5 Bxa3 23. fxe6 Qxc3 24. Qxc3 Rxc3 25. bxa3 fxe6 26. Bxb7 Bh5 27.
Rxe6 Bxd1 28. Kd2 Rc7 29. Kxd1 Rxd4+ 30. Kc1 Rxb7 0-1



Tournament Hall



Indian 10 years old Dhanush Bharadwaj won against UAE chess player Al Ansari Abdullah with black. Last year at World Youth Chess Championships in Durban, South Africa, Dhanush Bharadwaj got 5th place in boys under 10 cateogory. However, he climbed up the ladder to stand on the starting raking list #9 rating at this competition.



In girls, Mongolian 9 years old chess player, also World Youth Champion under 8 girls, Munkhzul Davaakhuu won against Syrian 12-year-old Arnakot Yahya Zakaria with black.



Even though Munkhzul is unrated player, she proved herself to be victorious among the competitive rivals. Championship organizer Al Ain Chess & Culture Club's player, FIDE Woman Candidate Master Al Maamari Wafia Darwish drew against Egyptian Al-Taftazani Menatalla wih white. As an unrated player, managing to drew with Woman Candidate Master, Al-Taftazani Menatalla has bright career in chess. WCM Al Maamari Wafia Darwish won bronze medal in under 12 girsl category at Arabian Youth Chess Championships last year.

For the results and pairings, please check http://www.chess-results.com/

Photos by WGM Enkhtuul Altan-Ulzii.