The first annual eChess Cup hosted its National tournament for the United Arab Emirates and the Region in May 2021, where athletes ranging from as young as 6 years to 52 years old came together. Each one of them was enthusiastic and ready to use their knowledge, which was acquired from the eight coaching sessions held previously.
The eChess Cup is an eSports & Fitness initiative, whose primary goal is to maintain a culture of athletic excellence while promoting the physical and mental well-being of the Global Jamat. These events help to build and strengthen community identification, involvement, and appreciation for the goals set by the Imamat projects. (https://the.ismaili/esports/about)
Imran Ladhani, athlete Rayan’s father said, “It has been a pleasant experience for the kids and has provided an excellent opportunity to learn chess, understand and experience participating in a professional event, handle the competition’s pressure and perform under stress, which plays a vital role in a child’s mental growth and development.”
Chess is one of the few games that has managed to retain people’s attention since the beginning of its existence. When playing chess, your brain is challenged to exercise logic, develop pattern-recognition, make decisions both visually and analytically, and test your memory. The aesthetic structure of the elements, the traditional names of the pieces, the game's inevitable stages of play and eventually in the game's dignified conclusion, all contribute to its significance in the 21st century. Undoubtedly, the concentration, effort and dedication it takes to master this game can be compared to any other physical sport. In addition, while the ongoing pandemic requires us to stay within close limits of our houses, such events help us remain connected and maintain unity while simultaneously having fun.
The 16 qualifiers from the region competed in the Block A Tournament (the other qualifiers were from Australia/New Zealand, Bangladesh, Far East, India, Pakistan) in the Adult and Junior categories. Ahaq Amin Ali (Junior Category) and Shadeen Hemnani (Adult Category) then qualified from the region to the International eChess Tournament.
While expressing his gratitude to all the volunteers and arbiters who made this event a success, the eChess Lead for the United Arab Emirates region, Nabeel Shiraz, commented, “Volunteers have been given the opportunity to serve from the comforts of their homes and upgrade their skills by learning about new technologies.”
Whether they qualified or not, athletes, parents, arbiters and team members all logged off with big smiles and great sportsmanship.
-
The journey of the pawn continues online
