News DeskDubai: The UAE’s chess sensation and first-ever female grandmaster, Rouda Essa Alserkal, has been officially invited to participate in the Norway Chess Open 2025, a significant milestone in her flourishing career. The prestigious tournament, part of the FIDE chess calendar, will host participants from 31 countries, promising fierce competition and global recognition.
At a press event held at the Seven Seas Hotel, Dubai, Kjell Madland, Managing Director of Norway Chess, presented the 15-year-old prodigy with the formal invitation. The ceremony also featured Dr. Mansoor Al Tamimi, Vice Technical Committee Chair and Technical Director of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games, along with virtual support from Koneru Humpy, a two-time women’s world rapid chess champion.
The tournament, scheduled from May 26 to June 1 at the IMI Forum in Stavanger, Norway, is renowned as a breeding ground for future chess champions. Past participants include celebrated names like reigning World Champion Gukesh D and Praggnanandhaa, who rose to prominence after competing in this event.
Kjell Madland expressed his admiration for Rouda, stating, “We are thrilled to invite Rouda Essa Alserkal to the Norway Chess Open. Her achievement as the UAE’s first female Chess Grandmaster is nothing short of inspiring. We hope this platform will help her and other players from the Middle East gain valuable exposure and elevate their game.” He also hinted at expanding the tournament’s presence in the region and exploring broadcasting opportunities for Middle Eastern fans.
In the highly competitive Grandmaster Group, where Rouda will compete, participants will have the opportunity to earn title norms across nine rounds, with a prize fund of €13,000. Top players like Rinat Jumbayev (Kazakhstan) and Jiner Zhu (China) are also among this year’s contenders.
Rouda, visibly excited, remarked, “Norway Chess is the pinnacle of chess tournaments, and I am honored to compete with some of the best minds in the world. This experience is a dream come true, and I am eager to prepare and give my best performance.” She also expressed her enthusiasm to meet chess legends such as Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, as well as new World Champion Gukesh D.
With her invitation to the Norway Chess Open 2025, Rouda continues to blaze a trail for women in chess across the UAE and the Middle East, setting an inspiring example for aspiring players in the region.
