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The first ACO World Amateur Chess Championship of the newly founded Amateur Chess Organization (ACO), took place in Dubai from 6-15, July 2012.
The venue of the event was the award-winning five-star beach hotel Jebel
Ali Golf
Resort & Spa which has been awarded the world's best family resort in 2011.
The glamourous playing venue
For this reason the playing conditions were remarkable: chandeliers in the playing
hall, each board had an own big table more than two metres wide, luxurious atmosphere
at the daily dinner buffet which has been put up exclusively for the participants
as well as free drinks during the games left nothing to be desired.
It was not only the playing conditions that were remarkable, but also the distant
journeys of the participants. Players from more than 25 countries flew more
thena 6,000 kilometres on average to attend the tournament. The youngest player
with the age of eight came from Kazakhstan, while the oldest player from Switzerland
was 79 years old.
Veet Nadeesh Lindam, Germany – 4900 km = 3000 miles
Dr. Christian Issler, Switzerland – 4800 km = 3000 miles
Arthur William Harutian (8, Spain, 5700 km) vs. Amir Zarif (8, Kazakhstan,
2700 km)
Ovie Solomon Adagha, Nigeria – 5200 km = 3300 miles
Tan Poh Heng, Singapore – 5800 km = 3600 miles
The longest journey: familiy Freckleton from Australia – 10,000 km
= 6300 miles
Despite hard fought games for the first ACO World Titles all encounters were conducted in a fair manner, with not a single protest. The tournament remained undecided till the last round, as there were many players with chances to win the title.
The highlight was the prize-giving ceremony in the seven-star hotel Burj-Al-Arab
Gala dinner 200 meters up: the Al-Falak ballroom, the most luxurious in
the world
ACO President Lothar Hirneise: "Tonight all are winners"
With all participants on the stage only relaxed and happy faces could be
seen
The winners of the A-Group
The A-group (2200-2400) was won by Florian Kugler
Despite a loss in the first round Veet Nadeesh Lindam from
Germany managed to finally win the B-group and clinch the title
The winner of the C-group: Ovie Solomon Adagha of Nigeria
The D-group (1600-1800) finished in an exciting way: only Buchholz
favoured Manuel Weber from Germany over Ingemar Falk from Sweden.
The winners of the E-Group
The sunny-boy of the evening: Maximilian Vaintroub
Youngsters: Arthur (8) Maximilian (10) and Amir (8) with the organizers
The buffet, with Arab and European dishes
International friendships: Ovie Solomon Adagha, Nigeria and Projjwal Promanik,
India
An exhibition match of the oldest participant Eugen Schwammberger (79)...
... against the youngsters Arthur, Maximilian and Amir
The organizers: Jens Hirneise, Lothar Hirneise, Falko Bindrich, Tobias Hirneise
The next ACO World Amateur Chess Championship takes place in Crete in the four-star All-Inclusive Luxury Hotel Aquis Arina Sand from 11-20 May, 2013. Many participants from Dubai have already confirmed the participation in Crete. The ACO offers special conditions for registrations until 31 September, 2012.
