MUSCAT: Oman national chess team player Hamood al Busaidi continued his impressive campaign at the 32nd Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, producing another major upset in the seventh round of the Open A competition to move into 13th place in the overall standings.
The Omani Candidate Master defeated Azerbaijan’s FIDE Master Mahammad Baghirov, the tournament’s third seed and rated 2,253, to secure his third consecutive victory and raise his tally to five points from seven rounds.
The result saw Al Busaidi, who entered the competition as the 45th seed with a FIDE rating of 1,934, climb from 22nd position after six rounds to 13th. His performance rating also rose to 2,125, underlining the strong level he has displayed against a field featuring several internationally titled and higher-rated players.
Al Busaidi delivered a composed performance against Baghirov, maintaining his concentration throughout the encounter and making the most of his opportunities to overcome an opponent rated more than 300 points above him.
The victory extended an impressive winning run that began in the fifth round. Al Busaidi defeated the UAE’s Ahmed Almheiri Sultan, rated 1,790, before overcoming UAE Woman FIDE Master Anoud Eisa Mohamed, rated 1,804, in the sixth round. He then followed those successes with his victory over Baghirov.
The three successive wins marked a strong response from the Omani after two defeats earlier in the tournament. Al Busaidi opened his campaign with a victory over the UAE’s Abdulaziz Aidarous Mera, before losing in the second round to top seed and Philippine International Master Richilieu Salcedo III, rated 2,298.
He returned to winning ways in round three against Russia’s Aleksey Chernyshev, but suffered his second defeat in the fourth round against UAE International Master Ibrahim Sultan, rated 2,165. Since then, Al Busaidi has produced three consecutive victories to move firmly into contention for a place among the leading players.
Eighth-round test
Al Busaidi now faces another important challenge in the eighth round when he takes on Uzbekistan’s Islombek Xusanov, rated 2,109. Both players enter the encounter with five points, adding further importance to the contest as they seek to strengthen their positions heading into the final round.
With only two rounds remaining, Al Busaidi is within reach of the top 10 and will be looking to maintain the momentum built during his three-match winning streak.
The Open A competition features 133 players and is contested over nine rounds under the Swiss system 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.
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