Qatar Masters to feature 300 chess players from 25 countries

DOHA: Doha is all set to host the fourth edition of Qatar Masters Chess at the Aspire Zone from December 2 to 12.

India will take part in the tournament with 110 players, which is the largest in the competition, the organisers revealed at a press conference here.

“A total of 300 men and women players from 25 countries will be seen in action,” said Qatar Chess Association president Mohammed Al Mudahka.

Defending champion Nodirbek Yakubboev, ranked sixth in the world, along with India’s Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh Dommaraju and Iran’s Parham Maghsoodloo will be among the top players.

On the participation of Qatari players, Al Mudahka said that International Master Hussein Aziz will represent the host nation in Group A.

From the Arab region, UAE’s Salem Abdulrahman Mohamed Saleh and Egypt’s Adham Fawzy will also be seen in action.

But this time reigning world champion and one of the super stars of the game, Magnus Carlsen of Norway will be absent.

“The absence of Norwegian star would be felt by fans in Doha. The player’s commitments to several other international events and the crowded international agenda prevented him from playing in Doha this year,” said Al Mudahka, who holds the position of Director of International Relations at FIDE.

Besides Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura of USA and Dutchman Anish Giri won’t be participating this time.