Abu dhabi: The veterans’ tournament for players aged 50 and over, part of the 32nd Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival currently underway and continuing until August 24, saw American player Vladimir Akopian take first place.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Filipino Dandel Fernandez secured second place, while Uzbek player Alexey Barsov finished third, following intense competition throughout all stages of the tournament. Saeed Ahmed Al Khouri, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club, presented the awards to the winners at the Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi.

The festival continued yesterday evening with the fourth round of the Masters tournament, open to both “A” and “B” categories, and the Juniors tournament for players aged 16 and under, with significant participation from Emirati players.

The opening ceremony was attended by Fouad Darwish, First Vice President of the UAE Chess Federation, and Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club, as well as Saeed Ahmed Al Khouri.

Fouad Darwish affirmed that the 32nd edition of the festival is a significant addition to the international sporting events hosted by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, given their diversity, high level of competition, and the large participation in their activities from both within and outside the country.