Basim Dumairia of Syria Wins AL Ahli Club Open Rapid

Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) — With 50,000 S.R. (Aprox. US $ 13,400) on stake, the Al Ahli Club of Saudi attracted more than 200 players in the 9 rounds Swiss with a time control of 20 minutes plus 5 seconds increment after each move. Already marked as the biggest event being organized in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it also attracted number of GMs and many other titled and rated players from 21 countries. The event was played on 19th and 20th of August at AL Ahli Club main Arena in Jeddah. Favorite GM Mohamed Al Sayed (ELO 2494) scored straight 5 wins in the first day of the event before collapsing to lower rated players on the next day. After tuff competition, Syrian Dr. Basem Dumairia (ELO 2129) and ranked 13th at the start, tied with Abano Gary of the Philippines with 8 points each, but thanks to his better tie-break, Dumairia went home SR 8000 richer. FIDE Vice President Khalifa Al Hitmi was present during the rounds and praised the Saudi Chess Association for the great caliper in the organizing of such event. Event director IA/IO Yaser Al Otaibi expressed his thanks to the participants for the great sportsmanship shown during the rounds and promised more similar events in the coming future. Final results can be found on chess-results.