Saudi Arabia welcomes world's elite chess players for first time - in pictures

Clerics in Saudi Arabia previously claimed that chess is ‘makrooh’, or frowned upon in Islam - not any more under the social transformation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Chess players take part in the King Salman Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Salah Malkawi / Getty Images

The Championship is taking place in Saudi Arabia for the first time with participation of 236 players from 70 countries. Salah Malkawi / Getty Images

Claims by Qatari Chess Association that Saudi Arabia denied visas to Qatari nationals had been dismissed by the world chess federation - Fide. Salah Malkawi / Getty Images

Other claims were made that the Qatari nationals were allowed to participate only under the federation's flag and that Israeli nationals were given both visas and the right to represent their country. Salah Malkawi / Getty Images

The Fide vice president Israel Gelfer said Saudi Arabia has disregarded a request by seven Israeli players to participate in the world championship taking place from Tuesday until December 30. Salah Malkawi / Getty Images

The championship marks the first time a major chess event takes place in the country, which has been experiencing unprecedented social change since Mohammed bin Salman was named Crown Prince. Salah Malkawi / Getty Images

Clerics in Saudi Arabia previously claimed that chess is ‘makrooh’, or frowned upon in Islam, despite the Islamic Empire widely regarded as responsible for chess popularity as the most well-known tabletop game. Salah Malkaw i/ Getty Images

The King Salman Blitz and Rapid Championship marks the first time a major chess event takes place in Saudi Arabia.

Clerics in Saudi Arabia previously claimed that chess is ‘makrooh’, or frowned upon in Islam, despite the Islamic Empire widely regarded as responsible for chess popularity as the most well-known tabletop game.

Chess, or “shatranj” as it is known in Arabic, was introduced from India to Ancient Persia where it became mandatory as part of the princely upbringing.

The game was introduced to the rest of the world after the Islamic conquest of Persia and became a popular pastime for both middle class civilians and the Islamic world's elite.

"Chess is no longer 'makrooh' in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Chess Association was formed in 2009 and became a full member of Fide in 2016," Nigel Freeman, Fide executive director, told The National.

Read more: Saudi grants visas to Qatar chess team, denies Israel