Oman to host Arab club chess with 10 teams

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Oman Chess Committee (OCC), is hosting the Arab Clubs Chess Championship from January 8 to 14 at the Sohar Sports Complex in North Al Batinah Governorate, with the participation of 10 Arab clubs representing some of the strongest teams in the region.

The tournament will be played under the Swiss system over seven rounds, with a time control of 90 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment per move, ensuring a high level of competition and allowing players to showcase their technical and tactical abilities. Each club will participate with five players, four main players and one reserve, adding depth to the competition and giving teams greater tactical flexibility.

Three clubs will represent Oman: Masirah, Salalah and Nakhal, alongside prominent Arab clubs including Fujairah and Sharjah from the United Arab Emirates, Tadhamun Shabwa Club from Yemen, Palestine Society Club from Palestine, Peshmerga Sports Club from Iraq, Al Rowad Club from Egypt, and Barada Club from Syria.

The Arab Clubs Chess Championship will be held from January 8 to 14 at the Sohar Sports Complex.

In a statement, Ahmed al Balushi, OCC Chairman, said that hosting the championship marks an important milestone in the development of chess in Oman. "We are proud at the Oman Chess Committee to host the Arab Clubs Championship on Omani soil. This reflects the great trust that Arab federations and clubs place in Oman, and it also provides a valuable opportunity for our players to compete against diverse chess schools and high-level opponents."

He added: "We have been keen to provide all the organisational and technical requirements to ensure the success of the championship, including venues, officiating and logistics, in a manner befitting the status of this Arab event. We look forward to a successful tournament that will further enhance Oman’s presence on the Arab chess map."

Hosting this championship comes as part of Oman’s ongoing efforts to support and develop chess, strengthen Arab sporting exchange, and reinforce Oman's position as a reliable destination for regional and international tournaments, contributing to raising players’ technical standards and expanding participation across different age groups.