Muscat, April 9
Oman national team chess player Hamood al Busaidy made a strong start in the West Asia Chess Championship by defeating Iranian player Amir Mohammad in the first round of the tournament, currently being held in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from April 8 to 16.
This championship serves as a key qualifying event for the upcoming Chess World Cup, which will be hosted by Qatar. It features participation from 11 countries: Oman, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen. The matches are taking place at the Van Royal Hotel in Erbil, amid high-level competition and impressive performances.
Al Busaidy’s opening win gives him a strong morale boost as he prepares for his next challenge in the second round, where he will face another Iranian player Mehdi Mohammad. The Omani player aims to continue his strong run and achieve positive results to enhance his chances of progressing to later rounds and improving his international ranking.
The first round witnessed intense matches among the participants, with players eager to get off to a strong start and secure crucial points that could prove decisive in the tougher and more competitive rounds to come.
The West Asia Championship is considered one of the most prestigious regional events in the chess calendar, bringing together some of Asia’s top players as it acts as a pathway to the World Cup. The Oman Chess Committee hopes that Al Busaidy will maintain his momentum and deliver a performance that reflects the growing strength of Omani chess, with ambitions of reaching an advanced stage in the tournament.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
