MUSCAT: The 2026 Oman Women’s Individual Chess Championship concluded at Al Amal Sports Club after attracting 41 players from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, underlining the continued growth of women’s chess and the widening participation base among girls and women at club, educational and community levels.
The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Nadhira bint Ahmed al Harthy, Chairperson of the Oman School Sports Association, in the presence of Basma bint Said al Sudairi, Secretary-General of the Oman Chess Committee. The event featured strong competition and encouraging technical standards across the different categories.
The Championship was played over seven rounds under the Swiss system, with each game contested over 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move, a format that allowed players to display both tactical and technical ability while maintaining a high level of competition throughout the event.
In the overall standings, Anat al Issai of Al Amerat Club secured first place, followed by Yumna al Nadabi of Al Amerat Club in second, while Kawthar al Maamari, also of Al Amerat Club, finished third to complete a clean sweep for the club on the main podium.
In the under-16 category, Maryam bint Yousuf al Balushi of Salalah Club took first place, ahead of Muzna al Balushi of Salalah Club in second, while Fatima al Ghafri of Masirah Club came third.
In the under-12 division, Noor bint Al Mutasim al Ghafri of Masirah Club claimed first place, followed by Shatha al Ghafri of Al Rustaq Club in second and Maryam al Ghafri of Al Rustaq Club in third.
Maryam al Balushi said the championship was highly competitive, with some closely matched levels making the battle for points more difficult, adding that winning first place in her category will motivate her to keep progressing and target stronger results in upcoming events, including future overseas participation.
Champion Anat al Issai described the tournament as one of the toughest editions she has played, particularly because of the pressure of defending her title. She said the achievement was the result of sustained effort and near-daily training and stressed that her ambitions now extend beyond domestic success to gaining a stronger presence in international competitions. She also noted that Omani female players possess clear potential, but need greater support through training camps, structured preparation, carefully selected tournaments and more events hosted in Oman.
Nadhira al Harthy said dedicating a championship to women reflects the importance of supporting women’s sport and providing the right platform for players across age groups, expressing hope that Omani players will eventually reach international podiums.
Basma al Sudairi said the tournament, which included under-12, under-14, under-16, and open categories, was aimed at encouraging greater female participation and helping prepare players for future international commitments, including the Chess Olympiad scheduled for September. She added that while the technical level varies due to inconsistent participation among some players, the championship remains an important step in strengthening the women’s game nationwide.
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