UAE PLAYERS GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE
By A Correspondent
Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates
Aug 25 2005
ABU DHABI – Though UAE players failed to attain any title norms or
gain ELO rating during the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival which concluded on
Tuesday, they have gained valuable experience and honed their skills,
Hussain Khouri, manager of the festival made these observations.
He said: “We need to enhance our preparations for these championships
and adopt a proficient approach for our players to use the opportunity
to gain norms”.
Zughair Ahmad, chief arbiter also said: “The quality of games in
the Masters section was excellent and even in the final round many
masters took risks”.
Grandmaster Anastasian Ashot of Armenia emerged as undisputed winner
with seven points after the ninth and final round in the Masters.
Anastasian nudged to the title after a draw with Grandmaster Federov
Alexei of Byelorussia. Ashot said: “I played the best tournament of
my career and I was able to raise my level in crucial games”
International master Kayumov Sergey of Uzbekistan defeated
Grandmaster Iuldachev Saidali of Uzbekistan and tied for the
runner-up position with Grandmaster Bocharov Dmitry of Russia with
6.5 points apiece. Kayumov Sergey will attain a GM norm based on his
ELO performance.