DOHA: The Katara International Ramadan Open Classic Chess Championship wrapped up in style, with India’s Albin Sajan securing the coveted title after a thrilling final round.
The prestigious tournament, held at Katara Cultural Village, featured 90 players from 22 countries competing in a nine-round classic chess format under the Swiss system (60 minutes + 30 seconds per move).
Sajan reigns supreme in intense battle
Sajan clinched the championship with 7.5 points, delivering a dominant performance to outplay his competition.
Filipino chess ace Ryan Mendoza secured second place, while India’s Sahya Prashant finished third with 7 points. Fellow Indian Syed Abdul Qadir claimed fourth place with 6.5 points, rounding out a strong showing for India.
Arab players shine in standings
The tournament also witnessed standout performances from Arab players. Algeria’s Jamal Ferhi emerged as the top-ranked Arab competitor, securing fifth place overall with 6.5 points.
Qatar’s Lian Al-Qassabi put in an impressive display, finishing tenth overall with six points, earning him the Best Qatari Player award. Egyptian Mahmoud Abdo also finished with six points but trailed on move difference.
Qatari talent continues to impress
Young Qatari players made their mark on the tournament, with Irfan Mohammed securing sixteenth place overall with 5.5 points, earning the Best Qatari Player Under-16 title.
In the junior categories, Khaled Al-Jumaat won Best Qatari Player Under-10, while Abdulaziz Al-Mahasneh was crowned Best Qatari Player Under-8.
A promising future for Qatari chess
The championship saw strong representation from the Qatari national team, with 13 players competing across various age groups. Participants included Irfan Mohammed, Khaled Al-Jumaat, Ahmed Saif, Fahad Al-Mansoori, Turki Al-Kuwari, Hamad Al-Kuwari, Rawda Al-Qassabi, Saqr Al-Muftah, Asma Al-Hammadi, Amer Al-Hammadi, Layan Al-Qassabi, Abdulaziz Al-Mahasneh, and Khaled Al-Yafei.
With another successful edition completed, the Katara International Ramadan Chess Championship continues to solidify its status as a premier chess event, fostering emerging talent and enhancing the sport’s presence in Qatar.
