Arab Games 2011 in Doha (Qatar)

Arab Games 2011 in Doha (Qatar)

Text and photos by Anastasiya Karlovich

The 12th Arab Games 2011 are taking place in Doha (Qatar) from December 9th to 23. The chess event includes blitz, a rapid individual chess championships and a classical chess team championship for women and men. The team championship gathered 63 players from 13 countries in the men's section, and 40 players from nine countries in women's section. Well-known GMs like Adly Ahmed and Amin Bassem from Egypt, Qataris Al-Modiahki Mohamad, Al-Sayed Mohammed and Zhu Chen, Salem A R Saleh from UAE are taking part in the event. After six rounds Egypt made only one draw, won five matches and leads with eleven points in the men section. The teams from Qatar and Iraq share the second place three points behind the Egyptian team. In the women's tournament Algeria is the undisputed leader – the team won all five matches. The nearest chasers from Egypt, Jordan and Morocco are four points behind.

A view of Doha, the Capital of Qatar, located on the Persian Gulf (scroll right). The population of Doha is around one million, of whom approximately 350,000 are citizens. Doha is Qatar's largest city, with over 80% of the nation's population residing in Doha or its surrounding suburbs. It is also the economic centre of the country.

Sky scrapers – Doha is also one of the fastest growing cities in the region, and the commercial and cultural heart of the country. Doha hosted the Asian Games in December 2006 and is rapidly establishing itself as an exciting travel destination, whether for business or pleasure. It will also host a large number of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The official language of the country is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood, and non-Arabic speakers encounter no difficulties.

A spectacular show was presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 12th Arab Games 2011. His Majesty the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Shani opened the Arab Games, held in the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. A colorful performance of the local artists brought the audience back to the ancient times – times of Qatari tribe unification. New video projection technologies, never used before at any sport event, transported 40.000 spectators of the stadium and millions over TV to a live desert where, after the innumerous battles, the tribes came to peace and understanding.

A giant dragon, symbolising ignorance and protest, is destroyed by the “torch of knowledge” brought by “Dignity” – a woman in white – the symbol of equality of men and women in Arab countries.

A ceremonial opening parade saw 21 national federations with their athletes, all participating in the Arab Games. They were led by the national sporting legends and passed one by one in front of thundering with applause in the stadium. The national team of Qatar closed the parade and won the loudest and heaviest applause and cheers.

Fireworks end the Opening Ceremony and welcome participants of the Arab Games

The dates of the Arab Games coincides with the National Day of Qatar. Every December 18th it is celebrated in commemoration of the historic day in 1878 when Shaikh Jasim, the founder of the State of Qatar, succeeded his father, Shaikh Muhammad Bin Thani, as the ruler and led the country toward unity. During this day thousand of cars decorated with flags and pictures of the national leaders.

Cars drive around the city, with people often sitting on top of their vehicles or hanging
out the windows. It’s great fun if you want to join the parade.

The Blitz Championship took place on the 10th of December. Qatari GM Mohamad Al Modiahki, in the middle above, became the winner of the male blitz competition. The silver medal went to Ahmed Adly of Egypt (left). Another GM representing Qatar, Mohammed Al-Sayed, took the bronze medal.

Former Women’s World Champion Zhu Chen of Qatar was the winner of the women’s blitz competition. Iraqi WGM Al-Rufaye Iman Hasan Mohamed (left) won the silver medal, while WFM Elamri Laila of Morocco placed third in the table. In the above picture the winners are seen together with FIDE Hon. Vice President and President of Qatari Chess Fedearation Khalifa Mohammed Al-Hitmi and the President of the Arba Chess Union Ibrahim al-Bannai.

The Rapid Chess competitions among men and women were held on December 11 and 12. IM Haddouche Mohamed of Algeria (middle) became the Gold Medallist of the Arab Games Rapid Chess tournament. GM Amin Bassem of Egypt (left) came second and Salem A. R. Saleh of the UAE got the bronze medal.

In the women's section Zhu Chen won the tournament one round before the end. She showed amazing result 8.5 out of 9. WGM Mona Haled from Egypt (left) came second, while Jordanian player WIM Fuad Natalie placed third in the final standings.

In the fourth round Egypt won their match against Morocco and replaced the Moroccan team on the first board. The Egyptian players Ahmet Adly, Bassem Amin and Mohamed Ezat (right) won their games and brought victory in the match.

Teammates congratulate Amin Bassem, who scored the final win against the Qatari team. The match looked to be in favour of the Qatari team, as GM Mohamad Al-Modiahki won quite quickly against rating favourite GM Ahmed Adly, and other Qatari players had promising positions as well. Unexpected losses by Hamad Al-Tamimi and Al-Sayed Mohammed helped the Egyptian team win the match with a 2.5:1.5 score.

Qatari players IM Nezad Husein Aziz and Hamad Al-Tamimi

The leader of the Qatari team, GM Mohamad Al-Modiahki, had already won one gold medal in the Arab Games and had 5.5 points after 6 games in the team competition.

In the women's section Algeria won all their matches and led in the tournament

The leader of the Qatari women's team, GM Zhu Chen, has already won two golden medals

Other players of Qatari team with FIDE Hon. Vice President and President of Qatari
Chess Federation Khalifa Mohammed Al-Hitmi.

WGM Maria Sergeeva, who works as a coach in Doha, chats with players from Algeria

Dr. Michael Shaderevian explains the action on the screen to the former President of the Olympic Committee Sheikh Saoud Bin Khaled Al-Thani, while the Competition Manager for chess in the Arab Games, Yousef Mahmoud Zayed, looks on.

GM Merab Gagunashvili, who coaches the Iraqi team

Girls from Egypt and Libya after their games

In the next building a handball competition, which was attended by …

... arbiter's assistant Kema Goryaeva, whom you might be able to spot amongst the spectators

Standings after six rounds of the men's team championship

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 11 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.

Copyright Karlovich/ChessBase