MUSCAT, AUGUST 22
Oman national chess team player and Candidate Master Hamood al Busaidi continued his strong campaign in the Open A section of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, collecting four points from his opening six rounds to remain in contention for the leading positions.
Al Busaidi, who has a Fide rating of 1,934, recorded four victories in six rounds to move into 22nd place in the overall standings among 133 players from different countries. His performance rating after six rounds stood at 2,022, highlighting the level he has produced against a competitive international field.
The Omani player made a positive start by defeating the UAE’s Abdulaziz Aidarous Mera, rated 1,597, in the opening round.
He faced a considerably tougher challenge in the second round against the tournament’s top seed, Philippine International Master Richilieu Salcedo III, rated 2,298. Al Busaidi suffered his first defeat of the competition but responded strongly in the following round.
In round three, he returned to winning ways with victory over Russia’s Aleksey Chernyshev, rated 1,691, before facing UAE International Master Ibrahim Sultan, rated 2,165, in the fourth round, where he suffered his second defeat.
Al Busaidi once again showed his ability to recover as he produced back-to-back victories in rounds five and six. He defeated the UAE’s Ahmed Almheiri Sultan, rated 1,790, before overcoming UAE Woman Fide Master Anoud Eisa Mohamed, rated 1,804, to take his tally to four points.
The results have enabled Al Busaidi, who entered the tournament as the 45th seed, to climb to 22nd position after six rounds and remain within reach of the higher places with three rounds still to play.
His next assignment will provide another major test as he faces Azerbaijan Grandmaster Mahammad Baghirov, rated 2,253, in the seventh round.
The Open A competition is being played over nine rounds as part of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, which runs from August 15 to 24 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche.
With three rounds remaining, Al Busaidi will look to build on his four-point tally and maintain his momentum as he seeks to climb further up the standings and conclude his campaign with a strong finish.
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