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Al Ain Classic22nd to 30th December |
The Middle-East is gaining in popularity as a chess hub, especially with the effort of organisers in the United Arab Emirates. Around every four months, the UAE hosts a very strong open tournament apart from the other World and Asian events. April is the month for Dubai Open, August is usually reserved for Abu Dhabi Open and now since 2013, December brings the Al Ain Chess Classic.
The Al Ain Chess and Culture Club invites you to the Al Ain Classic 2015
The schedule of Al Ain Classic 2015
The prize fund of the tournament gets bigger every year. Compared to 2014 edition the 1st prize has increased by a whopping two thousand dollars, thus surpassing the first prize of the two other strong tournaments held in the Emirates in 2015, the Dubai Open and the Abu Dhabi Open.
Prize structure for the Al Ain Classic 2015
Al Ain has hosted some top class events in the recent past, like the one above
Coming to the annual tournament, the first edition of the Al Ain Classic held in 2013 attracted 35 grandmasters while the number increased to 43 GMs in the 2014 edition.
FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Asian Chess Federation President, His Highness
Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Shakbooth Al Nahyan gracing the first Al Ain Classic in 2013
The 2013 Al Ain Classic was held alongside the World Youth Chess Championships and
was won by Indian GM Abhijeet Gupta. The huge trophy eclipses him in this file picture!
The Starting rank (only top twenty) of the 2014 edition of the Al Ain Classic was pretty strong! With the
first prize increasing by 2000 dollars for the 2015 edition the line-up is likely to be even more impressive!
Georgian Gaoiz Nigalidze won the Al Ain Classic 2014: Saif Salem Lekhraibani Alnuaimi,
Secretary General of the Al Ain Chess and Culture Club Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa
Bin Shakhboot Al Nahyan, Nigalidze, Tournament Director Tarek Al Taher
UAE GM Salem A.R. Saleh won the strong rapid tournament that preceded the Al Ain Classic 2014
The five star Hotel Hili Raayhan by Rotana Al Ain is the tournament venue [picture by Amruta Mokal]
Al Ain is located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. It shares its inland border with Oman and is almost equidistant from Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The roads connecting Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai form a geographic triangle in the country
There are quite a few tourist attractions in the city of Al Ain. Jebel Hafeet is the second tallest mountain in the United Arab Emirates. It is primarily located in the UAE. Although part of it lies in Oman, the summit is located wholly in the Emirates. The mountain rises to 1249 metres above sea (4098 feet) and offers a spectacular view of the city. Jebel Hafeet is also home to a wide range of animals including bats, foxes, and snakes.
A view from the Jebel Hafeet mountain
At the foothills of Jebel Hafeet lies the Green Mubazzarah, a well-developed tourist attraction. At the Green Mubazarrah, hot-water springs gush forth in little streams and form a lake. Swimming pools and jacuzzis are scattered all over the Green Mubazarrah.
The lake formed at the Green Mubazzarah
The Al-Ain Zoo comprises 400 hectares, and is situated on the foothills of Jebel Hafeet Mountain. It hosts various local and exotic animals including the white lion (top left), an animal that is almost extinct.
The Camel Market gives a glimpse of the Traditional Arabic culture.
Some of the camels in it are also bred for racing and are trained at an early age.
The picturesque Hazza bin Zayed football stadium, home of the Al Ain football club
A number of shopping places in Al Ain. Clockwise from top left:
Al Ain Mall, Bawadi Mall, Central Market and Remal Mall.
Apart from these attractions, there are many forts, museums and heritage structures in Al Ain. The temperature in Al Ain in December is usually around 25 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius.
So come December, trophies, prizes, norms or experience, whatever your aim, Al-Ain invites you to enjoy its hospitality!
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