India’s Sajan wins Katara International Ramadan Open Chess title
DOHA: The curtains fell on the Katara International Ramadan Open Classic Chess Championship with India’s Albin Sajan claiming the title.
The prestigious tournament saw the participation of 90 players from 22 countries, competing in a nine-round classic chess format under the Swiss system (60 minutes + 30 seconds per move).
Sajan secured title with 7.5 points after an intense final round.
Filipino rival Ryan Mendoza finished second. India’s Sahya Prashant finished third with 7 points, followed by compatriot Syed Abdul Qadir (4th with 6.5 points).
Strong Arab presence in standings
Algeria’s Jamal Ferhi finished as the top Arab player, securing fifth place overall with 6.5 points. Qatari national team player Lian Al-Qassabi delivered an impressive performance, finishing tenth overall with six points and claiming the Best Qatari Player award.
Egyptian Mahmoud Abdo also finished with six points, but trailed by a move difference.
Qatari talents continued to shine, with Irfan Mohammed securing sixteenth place overall with 5.5 points, earning him the Best Qatari Player Under-16 title. Meanwhile, Khaled Al-Jumaat won the Best Qatari Player Under-10 award, and Abdulaziz Al-Mahasneh was named Best Qatari Player Under-8.
Qatar’s Chess Future Looks Bright
The tournament featured 13 players from the Qatari national team across various age groups, including Irfan Mohammed, Khaled Al-Jumaat, Ahmed Saif, Fahad Al-Mansoori, Turki Al-Kuwari, Hamad Al-Kuwari, Rawda Al-Qassabi, Saqr Al-Muftah, Asma Al-Hammadi, Amer Al-Hammadi, Layan Al-Qassabi, Abdulaziz Al-Mahasneh, and Khaled Al-Yafei.
