Bahrain honours World Chess Day amid growing interest and international achievements

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Mohammed Darwish

July 20th heralds World Chess Day, a global celebration of the centuries-old game. This year’s occasion carries extra significance, marking the centenary of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

In Bahrain, chess has long held a special place, with a recorded history dating back to the 1940s. The Bahrain Chess Club, established early on, initially attracted a modest group of enthusiasts who gathered out of sheer curiosity.

Momentum

The activity gained momentum in 1960, prompting the Bahrain Club’s Sports Committee to invite the Chess Club to participate in matches. Interest grew steadily, thanks in part to Bahraini poet Ibrahim Al Arrayed, who volunteered to train players, guiding them through chess puzzles and analyses of international games. He was later joined by scientist and former minister Yousif Al-Shirawi.

Base

The Bahrain Chess Federation was officially established in 1981, headed by now Shura Council Member HE Dr Mohammed Ali Al-Khuzai, as the club’s visitor base grew and diversified with participants of various nationalities.

International Master Mohamed Tissir, Chairman of the Bahrain Chess Academy, spoke to The Daily Tribune, attributing the recent surge in interest to various factors. “The COVID-19 restrictions led people to explore more mental sports and hobbies,” he explains.

“Additionally, the success of the American miniseries ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ has also reignited global fascination with the game.”

Growth

Tissir noted the significant growth of chess locally, crediting support from HE Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the Ministry of Education’s initiatives in organising tournaments and training camps.

The Bahrain Chess Academy, established in 2014 by Tissir, is currently ranked sixth on FIDE’s list of endorsed academies.

To mark World Chess Day, the academy will host tournaments and activities at its headquarters in Manama on July 20th.

Challenges

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Tissir pointed out that financial support is still insufficient to cover the needs for coaches, event organisation, and developing a strong national team for international competition.

“The morale of Bahraini players improves when they represent the Kingdom and gain media attention and public support,” he remarked, indicating an area needing further enhancement.

Tissir also emphasised the numerous benefits of chess, including improved mental focus, problem-solving skills, and the development of discipline and courtesy. These qualities, he argues, extend beyond the game itself and contribute to the overall well-being of individuals and society.

The Daily Tribune also spoke with Dr Bassem Mohsen, a prominent figure in Bahrain’s chess scene since the 1980s.

Weekly classes

Dr Bassem invited the Tribune to the Al Oruba Social Club in Manama, where he and his brother hold weekly classes to train players.

There, he showcased an archive of photos, achievements, and the early beginnings of chess in Bahrain in the 1960s.

Dr Bassem then took us on a journey down memory lane, recalling his own achievements in the 1980s, beginning with his first championship at the age of 14 at the local junior level, followed by championships at the Arab and Gulf levels, culminating in his first championship at the Asian level in the late 1980s.

“The eighties were a significant period for Bahraini achievements in chess,” he said.

“This era saw Bahrain’s participation in the World Chess Olympiad for the first time, and during that period, an international coach was brought in.”

Dr Bassem recalled Ziad Janahi, a star of that period, who became a FIDE Master at nine and later won championships at the Arab world level, including gold in the Arab Universities Championship.

As an emergency consultant, Dr Bassem emphasises the mental benefits of playing chess, viewing it as a break from the pressures of his work.

He advises practising chess as a mental activity that enhances planning and analytical skills, while also stressing the importance of complementing it with physical sports activities.

Preparations

Bahrain is stepping up preparations to organise the 2024 School Games, scheduled to be held next October under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with participation from 80 countries, including a prominent presence of chess.

Among the Kingdom ’s achievements is Maher Ayyad’s victory, winning the Olympic gold medal in chess while representing Bahrain at the 2002 World Olympiad in Slovenia.

Additionally, Maliha Al Jamri, a Bahraini chess referee and coach, became the first woman in the country to receive international accreditation in chess arbitration, earning the title of International Arbiter (IA) in 2024.