Ajman, UAE – In a strategic move aimed at developing a new generation of chess champions, the Gulf Chess Federation, headed by Ahmed Ali Al Raisi, has approved the organization of the 2026 Gulf Junior Individual (Classic) Chess Championship for both males and females.
The tournament will be hosted by the Emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates from July 3 to 9.
Strategic timing and incentive rewards
The Chess Federation’s board of directors confirmed that the selection of July
for the tournament coincides with the end of the academic year in the GCC countries.
This decision aims to ensure record participation from promising talents and raise the level of competition.
The federation also announced valuable prizes for the winners.
This comes as part of its comprehensive plan to develop age groups
and support the careers of male and female players in the region.
A unified vision for improving the game
This came during the first meeting of the Gulf Chess Federation Council (held virtually) for the current 2026-2027 term.
The president welcomed the members and stressed that the next phase requires a “team spirit.”
It also necessitates a focus on high-quality initiatives that will elevate Gulf chess to prestigious international levels.
The meeting was attended by high-level representatives from national federations:
Mohammed Ahmed Al-Mudahka (Vice President of the Federation – Qatar).
Mohammed Abdullah Al-Kaabi (Secretary General of the Federation).
Representatives from the federations of Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, and Iraq, as well as the Federation’s advisor.
Regulatory decisions and upcoming expansions
The Gulf Chess Federation Council meeting resulted in a number of strategic decisions to enhance institutional work, most notably:
Appointment of Vice President: Mohammed Ahmed Al-Mudahka was elected Vice President of the Federation for the current term.
Unified Bylaws: The draft bylaws for Gulf sports federations, submitted by the UAE Olympic Committee,
were reviewed in preparation for their adoption.
Anticipated Omani Destination: A proposal to organize another Gulf championship in the Sultanate of Oman next November was discussed.
This will ensure the continuity of chess activity throughout the year.
Permanent Committees: The formation of permanent committees
for the Federation was recommended to improve performance efficiency and achieve the established strategic goals.
This move reflects the Gulf Chess Federation’s commitment to providing an ideal competitive environment for players.
It also aims to solidify the GCC countries’ position as a leading regional hub for the sport of chess.
