Salalah Club lead intense battle at Oman Open chess
The Clubs Chess Championship for the Open category, organised by the Oman Chess Committee from July 24 to 31 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, has witnessed an atmosphere of excitement and fierce competition among 20 teams representing 13 clubs from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, with the participation of 100 male and female players of different ages and skill levels.
The championship is being played under the Swiss system over nine rounds, with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move, making each match a true test of the players' mental abilities and tactical strategies. From the very first round, the matches have reflected the strong technical preparation of the players and the overall development of the participating clubs' standards.
By the end of the fifth round, Salalah Club (A) lead the overall standings after a streak of consecutive victories, followed closely by Masirah Club (B) in second place with a narrow point difference, while Masirah Club (A) occupy third place. The coming rounds are expected to bring even more excitement, given the slim margins separating the top three teams.
In terms of key results, the first round showcased Salalah (A)'s strength with a sweeping 4–0 win over Seeb. Masirah also defeated Oman by the same scoreline, while Nakhal secured an important 3–1 victory over Nizwa. In the second round, Salalah (A) continued their fine form with a 3.5–1.5 win over Qurayat, while the encounter between Masirah and Nakhal ended in a balanced 2–2 draw. The third round saw an exciting win for Salalah (A) over Masirah (B) by 2.5–1.5, with Nakhal also prevailing over Al Hamra by the same margin.
In the fourth round, Salalah (A) kept up their winning streak by overcoming Masirah (A) 2.5–1.5, while Qurayat claimed an important 3–1 victory over Al Suwaiq. In the fifth round, Salalah (A) stayed firmly on course with a 2.5–1.5 win against Nakhal, while Masirah secured another key win, beating Qurayat 3–1 to strengthen their position.
The Oman Chess Committee aims, through this championship, to provide an ideal platform for fair competition between clubs and to raise the technical level of local players by engaging them in well-organised tournaments. This has positively impacted the international ratings of several participants in the Fide ranking. The event also serves as an important scouting ground for the national team's technical staff to discover promising talents and refine their skills in preparation for upcoming regional and international events.
Beyond the battle for top spots, the championship has fostered a friendly atmosphere reflecting the high level of sportsmanship among participants, with teams exchanging experiences and discussing strategies. This has helped create an environment that encourages continuous improvement. With the closeness of competition and the strong desire of all teams to reach the podium, the remaining rounds promise plenty of surprises.
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