ALEKSANDER LEADS AT ABU DHABI CHESS TOURNAMENT
By Yasir Abbasher

GulfNews
August 20, 2009, 23:05

Chess

Abu Dhabi Russian Grand Master Rakhmanov Aleksander entered the final
round of the Annual Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival as the sole
leader. He has the best chance of winning the title if he succeeds in
beating GM Aleksandrov Aleksej of Belrus in the final and ninth round.

Aleksander has seven points from eight rounds while Aleksej has
6.5 points.

Meanwhile, Armenian GM Anastasian Ashot is also on the favourites’
list with 6.5 points and will face Ukrainian GM Drozdovskij, with
six points, in the second top match of the final night.

In the eighth round, Aleksander beat Egyptian GM Bassem Amin while
Aleksrj defeated Indian international master (IM) Laxman R.R. Ashot
drew with Russian GM Ovetchkin Roman. Drozdovskij also drew with
Armenian GM Andriasian Zaven. At the same time, it was announced that
etisalat will be the official sponsors of the team of the Abu Dhabi
Chess and Culture Club (ADCCC) during the competitions held in the
Ramadan Olympics organized by the Abu Dhabi Armed Forces Officers Club
(AFOC).

Hussain Abdullah Khory, the Financial Directors of the ADCCC, told
Gulf News that his club is grateful to etisalat for supporting chess
in general and the club’s team in particular during such a big event.

"We are grateful to etisalat for their continuous support and
encouragement and I am looking forward to achieving good results in
the competition that will feature some of the top chess players in the
UAE. Our team have returned from their training camp and participation
in the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival. Our team is ready to
enter the competition."