Chess proves to be king of games in Fujairah

So many children are checking out the game on the east coast that the Fujairah Ruler has decided a new chess club is to be built with enough space for 400 players.

An artist’s impression of the new Fujairah Chess and Culture Club, as requested by the emirate’s Ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. Courtesy Fujairah Chess and Culture Club

FUJAIRAH // The world’s great game of strategy is enjoying an explosion in popularity on the east coast of the UAE, so much so that the Fujairah Ruler is taking an interest.

Already, 45 Emirati children are being taught how to play chess to a professional level at the Fujairah Chess and Culture Club, and recent successes there have caught the eye of Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.

The Ruler of Fujairah has requested that the emirate’s government build a clubhouse that can accommodate 400 players. The move is in the early stages, with no location or completion date set.

The current club, in Merashid, opened in 1993 but it is only in the last two years that interest has grown.

“We have participated in lots of local competitions and won many prizes but, during the past two years, we started to take part in national and international competitions, received many awards and won the support of the Ruler of Fujairah,” said Abdullah Aal Barakat, club president.

Last year, Fujairah Chess and Culture Club took part in the schools world championship in Thailand and won first place among Arab players, as well as scooping several wins at the Arab championships in Morocco.

This year, the club won the President Cup competition in the under-14 category in Abu Dhabi. Players also appeared at a tournament in France and there were medal-winning performances at a competition in Tunisia.

Mr Aal Barakat has been playing chess since 1986 and his goal is to spread awareness of the game and encourage children to learn it to improve their thinking, decision-making and planning abilities.

“It is an important mind sport that improves the child’s abilities in many aspects and helps build their self-esteem, be more self-confident and [improves] discipline,” he said.

The club has two practice halls that can hold up to 45 players and three coaches. About 70 youngsters from across the east coast have applied to join this year alone but most had to be turned away because of space restrictions.

“We can’t accept more than 45 students but we will have more space in the new building, which will accommodate around 400 players,” said Mohammed Al Hallak, club executive director.

The new two-floor building will have four training halls, one main hall to host competitions and a guest room, plus a library and cafeteria.

“We will be able to accept both Emiratis and expatriates of both genders but, for now, we only accept Emirati boys,” said Mr Al Hallak.

“We accept only children under 10 and we have players aged between 6 and 18. The younger they are, the better they can learn and understand the game and become professional.”

Mohammed Al Elely, an 11-year-old Emirati who won first prize in the junior Emirates Chess Championship, said that chess is a king’s game and that it is his favourite.

“I joined the club when I was 8 years old and became one of my favourite games that helped me be more focused in my daily life and have more patience,” said Mohammed.

“A person becomes smarter and a fast learner, while participating in competitions made me feel very self-confident and taught me how to take responsibility.”

His father said that chess has helped improve his son’s academic performance and concentration.

“We are very proud of him and his achievements. This mind sport has made him become strong in everything and became the first in his class,” said Saeed Al Elely.

Another parent said that he registered his four sons at the club and it has made them less aggressive and more peaceful.

“When you have four children who are so close to each other in age they fight and play rough, but after they started taking courses at the club, they became calm and quiet and started to achieve well at school,” said Abdullah Al Qaydi, father of Zayed, 11, Mohammed, 10, Majid, 8, and 6-year-old Ahmad.