Mohammed al Saidi crowned Oman Individual Chess Champion 2026

Muscat: The Oman Chess Committee concluded the Oman Individual Chess Championship 2026 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, with Mohammed bin Khalfan al Saidi (1,892) of Nakhal Club emerging as champion after collecting eight points at the end of nine rounds of competition.
The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of former minister Dr Abdulmunim bin Mansour al Hasani, in the presence of Ahmed bin Darwish al Balushi, Chairman of the Oman Chess Committee, committee members and several chess enthusiasts.
The championship delivered strong technical standards and several surprise results, particularly in the eighth and ninth rounds, where Al Saidi produced a composed and consistent display to secure the title ahead of several higher-rated players.
Manea al Kathiri (1,875) of Salalah Club finished second with seven points, while Salim al Amri (1,980) of Masirah Club claimed third place on the same tally. Mahad al Amri (1,715) of Masirah Club took fourth, with Mohammed al Riyami (1,828) of Salalah Club in fifth, both also on seven points. Khalfan al Housani was placed sixth, Rashid al Jabri came seventh, while Hamood al Busaidy finished eighth with 6.5 points each. Ahmed al Sabti and Said bin Ahmed al Maamari completed the top ten with six points each.

Speaking after the ceremony, Dr Abdulmunim al Hasani said chess is one of the most important and enjoyable sports for young people because of its mental and competitive value. He noted that individual championships featuring players from different governorates represent a valuable addition to clubs and help identify talents capable of representing Oman in future international events.
POSITIVE INDICATOR
He also praised the diversity of the winning clubs, describing it as a positive indicator of the game’s growing base in Oman.
For his part, Ahmed al Balushi said the championship witnessed strong and exciting competition throughout the nine rounds, reflecting the development that chess is experiencing in the Sultanate of Oman. He congratulated the top winners and praised their performances, noting that they reflected seriousness and commitment. He also commended all participants for the high competitive spirit they showed, which contributed to the success of the championship and helped present it in a commendable manner.

He added that the Oman Chess Committee continues its efforts to develop the game and organise tournaments, stressing the committee’s readiness to stage the upcoming events, most notably the Oman Individual Age-Group Championship and the Oman Women’s Individual Championship, both scheduled to take place over the next two weeks. He noted that these events will help broaden participation and uncover more talent, adding that the next phase will see further work to strengthen the presence of chess on the local scene and prepare players for external competitions.