India’s Khidr maintains lead after 5th round at Katara International Ramadan Open Chess

DOHA: India’s Syed Khidr maintained his lead with 4 points, followed closely by the Philippines’ Leola Robinson (3.5) at the Katara International Ramadan Open Chess Championship on Monday.

India’s Ayyappan Balandan also has 3.5 points but trails Robinson on tiebreakers. Rounding out the top five are India’s Abel Sajan and the Philippines’ Ryan Mendoza, both poised to challenge the leaders.

In Round 5, the leader Khidr secured a crucial victory over Qatar’s Al Jummat, while Al Qassabi held Mendoza to a draw. Other notable results included Qatar’s Hamad Al Kuwari drawing with India’s Dhai Vessani, Ibrahim Al Janahi defeating India’s Harish Kaverasu, Fahad Al Mansoori overcoming China’s Wang Yidu, and Khalid Al Yafai besting Mohamed Al Fateh. Rowda Al Qassabi also earned a draw against Mohamed Djerbi.

Featuring 90 players from 22 nations, this prestigious event, organized by the Qatar Chess Association (QCA), is shaping up to be a thrilling battle of wits.

The tournament, played under the Swiss system across nine rounds, uses a classical time control of 60 minutes per player with a 30-second increment per move.

Round 6 promises high-stakes drama as the top four contenders face off on the main tables, while players ranked fifth through tenth look to rebound from earlier setbacks.

Qatar’s national team is making a strong showing, with Layan Al Qassabi in sixth place at 3.5 points, firmly in the hunt for the title.

Teammates Irfan Mohamed Ferdous (eighth, 3.5 points) and Khalid Al Jummat (ninth, 3 points) are also in contention, showcasing the depth of Qatari talent.

Hamad Al Tamimi, Executive Director of the QCA, praised the fierce competition, particularly on the top boards, where the leading six players are locked in a tense showdown.

“The performances of our Qatari players across the first five rounds have been outstanding,” Al Tamimi said. “The QCA remains dedicated to nurturing talent across all genders and age groups, and we are grateful for Katara’s unwavering support in making this tournament a success year after year.”

Widely regarded as the crown jewel of the QCA’s annual calendar, the Katara International Ramadan Open Chess Championship is a cornerstone event held during the holy month of Ramadan, serving as a vital platform for Qatar’s national teams to hone their skills against elite international competition.

The 6th round of the will be held today.