Chess stars turn cowboys for a day at Norway Chess games 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
Held on a tournament rest day, the tradition of light-hearted competition continued in unforgettable fashion with the 'Chess Cowboy Challenge', a high-spirited showdown in Westernbyen, a Western-themed village in Ålgård, just outside Stavanger.
This year's participants was -the star-studded lineup from Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women. Sarasadat Khademalsharieh was unfortunately not able to join, and stepping in was Ella Carlsen, wife of Magnus, proving to be quite the sharpshooter in more ways than one.
Adopting their new Western personas, the players embraced the theme wholeheartedly: Magnus 'The Lone GOAT' Carlsen Caruana 'The Sicilian Sniper' Hikaru 'The Blitz Bandit' Nakamura Arjun 'No Slip' Erigaisi Wei 'The Quiet Storm' Yi
Gukesh 'The Chennai Sharpshooter' D Vaishali 'The Rising Rider' Rameshbabu Anna 'Ice Veins' Muzychuk Humpy 'The Hammer' Koneru Lei 'The Lockdown' Tingjie Ju 'No-Loss' Wenjun
Ella Carlsen (stepping in as an honorary cowgirl)
With nicknames as fierce as their over-the-board styles, the competitors were more than ready to tackle the cowboy gauntlet ahead.
The Chess Cowboy Challenge took them through a series of wild tasks. They faced the Sheriff's memory test in a jail escape, sought enlightenment by solving the priest's riddle in the chapel, mined for gold, and tried their hand at axe throwing beside the church. Air rifles, lasso tosses, cowboy quizzes at the pleasure house, and classic horseshoe throws added to the flavor of the day, with real horses roaming the scene for that authentic atmosphere.
Each team, made up of one male and one female player, competed across all stations as they worked their way through the village.
Final Standings:
1st place: Magnus & Ella Carlsen — crowned Chess Sheriffs
2nd place: Hikaru Nakamura & Anna Muzychuk
3rd place: Fabiano Caruana & Vaishali Rameshbabu
4th place: Gukesh D & Ju Wenjun
5th place: Wei Yi & Lei Tingjie
6th place: Arjun Erigaisi & Humpy Koneru
About Norway Chess Games
Norway Chess Games is an annual tradition held during the tournament's rest day. It gives the world's best players a break from intense competition and a chance to connect in creative, unexpected ways. Previous editions have included: Chess Chefs – a culinary battle where players cooked for top chefs
– a culinary battle where players cooked for top chefs Cake Decorating Challenge – full of icing, sprinkles, and strategy
– full of icing, sprinkles, and strategy Farmer for a Day – featuring hand-milking cows and driving tractors
– featuring hand-milking cows and driving tractors Design Your Own Knit Sweater– where players designed patterns later hand-knitted into real sweaters as unique keepsakes
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Khaled Saleh: A music of possibilities - Culture - Al-Ahram Weekly
Over the past two decades, the name Khaled Saleh has repeatedly appeared in various publications—in recent years often in connection with the Isis String Orchestra for Amateurs. But the portfolio of this violinist, educator and conductor is filled with all kinds of gems. Saleh's musical journey includes his education at the Cairo Conservatory and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, as well as founding the Awtar Quartet and the Osiris String Orchestra for Amateurs (2016–2018). Since 2020, he has continued to work with amateur musicians through Isis String Orchestra for Amateurs—a highlight of his recent educational and musical career. Saleh's name is also part of the legacy of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra where he spent several years (2004-2009) and appeared in a number of solo performances. His teaching portfolio includes Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra, an ensemble consisting of visually impaired woman musicians, for over a decade (2011-2021); he also teaches at the American University in Cairo and at the Cairo Conservatory as an assistant professor. Through these and many other endeavors, Saleh has made unceasing contributions to Egypt's musical landscape. He has dedicated much of his life not only to performing classical music – his principal interest – but also to nurturing new generations of aspiring musicians and fostering meaningful engagement with diverse audiences beyond traditional concert halls. Isis String Orchestra for Amateurs Today, the Isis String Orchestra for Amateurs is the centerpiece of Saleh's activities. The orchestra has become one of the most authentic reflections of his multifaceted experience – bringing together his work as a performer, educator, and musical visionary. 'I had to take a break from the activities of the Orchestra; right now, I'm preoccupied with exams at the Cairo Conservatory and writing my research to become an associate professor,' he reveals while awaiting rehearsal for a concert he will be leading the following day. Even when preoccupied with smaller musical projects, the demands of the Conservatory and research, the orchestra is always on his mind. 'The members of the orchestra are amateurs; they come from all walks of life, and different cities, from areas that I would never have imagined had talents interested in classical music. After all, though we present programmes that fuse other genres, Western classical music and its arrangements remain dominant in the ensemble. My goal is for the orchestra to reach a near-professional level – not just in terms of performance, but also in the audition process, rehearsals, and the entire learning journey,' he explains. For several seasons, the Isis String Orchestra performed with musicians of all ages in one concert. In 2024, Saleh decided to set up an ensemble focused on the youngest players (6-16 years old) through creating a parallel Children's String Orchestra. 'When placed among the older musicians, children were not getting sufficient attention suitable to their age. Children require a different approach to the fundamentals of music – only then can they progress at a healthy pace,' he explains, adding that the young ensemble is also a source of joy for the young musicians, and a special delight to their families. The young orchestra has already made its stage debut, performing in half of a concert that featured a varied programme – from simple pieces for younger musicians to more challenging works suited to more experienced players. In many ways, Saleh's vision resonates with the spirit of El Sistema, the revolutionary Venezuelan programme that uses music education to empower children. However, while El Sistema was designed specifically to support underprivileged children through free orchestral training, Saleh's approach with the Isis String Orchestra reflects a broader vision. Rooted in the belief that music is a right, not a privilege, his work welcomes musicians from all walks of life, regardless of social or economic background or level of training. Like El Sistema founder José Antonio Abreu (1939-2018), Saleh sees music as a transformative force that fosters human growth, purpose and excellence. Both models ensure commitment to accessibility and education, and use the power of music to build confidence, discipline, and a sense of community. 'I set the programme, work on arrangements, work on the individual development of each player, lead the rehearsals… Sometimes the process feels overwhelming, and as time constraints build approaching the concert, I start thinking about taking a long break – or even giving up altogether. Then we have a concert and the next day I am already planning for the next season. The orchestra members always inspire me to keep moving forward,' he shares. Though Saleh performs most tasks singlehandedly, he is quick to credit his wife, Hagar Nawar, who 'was the main reason behind the launch of the Isis Orchestra. After Osiris, I was a bit discouraged. It was Hagar who boosted my confidence – as she always does – and in the beginning, she helped with many organisational tasks in Isis. Remember, 2020 was the year of Covid19. Yet we made it! It would have been much more difficult without her.' In both his personal and artistic life, Saleh speaks with love of Hagar's unwavering support and influence. The very existence of the Isis String Orchestra lies at the intersection of Saleh's many passions. A crowning achievement, it reflects both his creative and personal journeys – embracing a deep love for classical music and for people, a drive to share music with the world, and a steadfast commitment to education. His boundless patience, perfectionism, hard work, and unconditional dedication are what truly sustains the Isis Orchestra. Awtar Quartet. (Photo: Zafar Azimov) Shaping the musician Yet Saleh's approach to music has been nurtured through the years, starting with his violinist parents, Egyptian father Samir Saleh and Russian mother Tatiana Saleh. 'My father met my mother during his PhD studies at the Moscow Conservatory. Naturally, I started playing the violin as a small child, just like my younger brother Karim. My dad was our first teacher; he was quite strict. I entered the Cairo Conservatory after secondary school, studying under Marlis Younishkan.' In his early twenties, Saleh joined the Cairo Symphony Orchestra in 2004, and began working in the Conservatory two years later. 'I didn't know life beyond music. Though I grew and learned so much in those years, there were moments when I questioned my path... Perhaps I hadn't yet realised the endless possibilities that music truly holds.' Then came the day he noticed an announcement of the Fulbright Egyptian Student Program – Master's Degree, posted on one of the Conservatory's walls. 'I had ten days to apply. It seemed completely crazy, but I thought, 'There's nothing to lose'.' He was awarded the grant to pursue his masters at the Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music (Bloomington, Indiana, USA), one of the top music institutions in the United States. Between 2009 and 2011, Saleh followed the rigorous standards in theory and performance, describing the experience as a turning point in his musical and educational journey. His professors included Mark Kaplan and Mimi Zweig (who also taught the celebrated American violinist and conductor Joshua Bell in his early years). Zweig guided him through music pedagogy, with Saleh assisting her in working with younger University students. In Bloomington, Saleh also studied under Brenda Brenner in the strings department. She introduced him to the Fairview Violin Project, an initiative that focused on working with young children in public schools. 'Professor Brenner was the first to expose me to working with amateur string musicians, from violin to double bass. I learned how to create programmes, prepare rehearsals, etc,' Saleh reflects on the knowledge that years later became one of the foundation stones of his own orchestra of amateur musicians. 'This exposure to amateur musicians in the USA drew me to this trajectory. I also started pondering its boundless values, and how Egypt lacks amateur orchestras. At the same time, I completely lost interest in returning to the Cairo Symphony.' Khaled Saleh with his mother, Tatiana Saleh, on the left Quartet with a mission But work with amateur musicians needed more time to come to fruition, as Saleh was to go through one more creative stepping stone: the Awtar Quartet, an ensemble he launched in 2012 and which continues to perform until today. Besides Saleh, the quartet also involves other like-minded professional musicians: violinist Yasser Ghoneim, violist Essam Abdel-Hamid and cellist Mohamed Abdel-Fattah. Revolutionary in its own right, Awtar filled a vital gap in Egypt's musical landscape, answering the need for innovative small ensembles that not only performed serious music at prestigious venues but also brought this art to diverse communities. The quartet remained committed to concerts at venues such as the Cairo Opera House, the Russian Cultural Centre and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, but more importantly, it began reaching out to audiences in cities and villages located far from the capital, often performing in unexpected places where music could ignite connection and joy. While relying mainly on classical music, the ensemble also spanned various other genres including jazz, tango, Latin, Arabic and pop music – many arranged by Saleh for the quartet – captivating audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Photo: Doaa Shahin "At Awtar, we are close friends united by a desire to spread the values of music. We wanted to challenge the perception that classical music is reserved for the elite. Our concerts at Alrabaa,' a cultural hub located in the heart of Fatimid Cairo, 'attracted large audiences. We fostered a relaxed atmosphere, too: no suits or ties, with people freely seated all across the space. At Darb 1718, we launched the Classic on the Roof series, which found a very receptive audience even though the venue was more accustomed to pop and rock concerts." "We brought interactive musical performances fused with storytelling to children in underprivileged neighborhoods like Ard El-Lewa and Establ Antar, and to hospitals such as the Children's Cancer Hospital 57357. We toured different governorates with Mahatat for Contemporary Art, often performing on the streets. We visited orphanages, public schools and underprivileged communities with projects tailored especially for each group,' Saleh enumerates, recalling the surprisingly warm reception the quartet received in every venue. He then recalls a performance with Mahatat on streets that buzzed with tuktuks. 'We couldn't compete with the loud mahraganat music blaring from the tuktuks. But as we started playing, I began to notice how they would turn down their volume as they approached us, glance over, or even stop to listen. Then they'd drive off quietly, without turning the music back up, as if not to disturb those still listening.' Saleh offers countless examples of how classical music can touch anyone – even if just for a moment – and how, over time, it has the power to instill new and beautiful values, not by replacing people's own but by adding different depth to their lives. 'This experience taught me a lot about those communities. Their music speaks of their lives, their realities, which are so different from ours. Many professional musicians tend to criticise those people and their music, bluntly rejecting them. If we want them to approach us, we should approach them, give them the opportunity for exposure to something different, create interaction,' he says, rejecting musical classism. Photo: Doaa Shahin Full circle of music While the Awtar Quartet established itself as Egypt's most compelling community-focused ensemble, Saleh discovered yet another personal calling. 'Our repertoire was ambitious. It was through Awtar that I began creating arrangements for strings, for which demand only multiplied.' This combination of community engagement and skillful arranging laid the foundation for an orchestra with a distinct vision: first, the Osiris String Orchestra (2016-2018), born of collaboration with Osiris for Art Production and Training, and later the bigger project, the Isis String Orchestra for Amateurs, operating independently. 'Of course writing arrangements for a small ensemble of highly professional musicians is very different from composing for an amateur orchestra. With professionals, there is much more freedom – I don't shy away from technically challenging passages. However, arrangements for amateurs, or even children, come with a distinct set of limitations. One of the main challenges is to create a piece that would become a meaningful part of their musical development. This carries a great educational responsibility.' Moving fluidly between classical music and other genres, among audiences in tuxedos arriving in polished cars and shoes, curious young people dreaming of playing the violin, and barefoot children chasing sound through narrow alleys, Saleh stands at the very heart of humanity. What is often viewed as an elitist education, he reclaims as a tool for connection, using it not to exclude but to invite. Regardless of the project at hand, Saleh's journey, rooted in both discipline and imagination, always has the same unwavering purpose: to share classical music, and all the values it carries, with everyone. As he continues to nurture new generations of musicians through the Isis String Orchestra, or invites audiences to Awtar Quartet's concerts, Saleh reminds us that music doesn't belong to any one class or culture. It belongs to those who listen, who feel, and who learn. And in that shared space between skill and sincerity, he creates not just performances but possibility. Photo: Doaa Shahin * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CairoScene
07-07-2025
- CairoScene
Yazeed Fahad's ‘Mali' is a Midnight Ballad for the Weary Heart
The Saudi artist strips back the production, relying solely on melancholic keys, warm guitar riffs, and his soulful vocals to explore the unspoken emotional weight of sleepless nights. Jul 07, 2025 Saudi rising artist Yazeed Fahad has recently released a new single, titled 'Mali' (مالي وإن أغمضت عيني), a hazy indie ballad that captures the unspoken emotional weight of sleepless nights and post-midnight overthinking. Inspired by his multicultural upbringing across Nigeria, Libya and Germany, Yazeed carved a distinctive musical style rooted in introspection, fusing soft guitar and wistful saxophone work with Western indie sensibilities and Arabic tonalities. In 'Mali', Yazeed strips back the production, relying solely on melancholic keys, warm guitar riffs and his soulful vocals to explore his solitude and the scattered thoughts that come when the night falls. Throughout the track, Yazeed intently harmonises over ghostly violin strings and delicate, clock-like plucks that echo the quiet anxiety of passing time, crafting a landscape where stillness and restlessness exist in tandem.
CairoScene
04-07-2025
- CairoScene
Zeyne Reclaims What ‘Hilwa' Really Means in Empowering New Single
Over a cacophony of tabla percussions and joyful ululations, Zeyne's heartfelt lyrics celebrate Arab women and promote a message of self-acceptance to those pressured to look perfect. Jul 04, 2025 Palestinian-Jordanian artist Zeyne unveils 'Hilwa', a potent self-love anthem and the third preview single from her upcoming debut album, which is set to release this year. 'Hilwa', which means 'beautiful' in English, sends a tender message of empowerment and self-acceptance to Arab women who feel pressured to look perfect due to the unrealistic, Western-centric beauty standards we are drowning in every day. Through heartfelt lyrics, Zeyne cuts through the noise, offering a reminder that true beauty transcends external expectations and that self-love is often nurtured by the love and memories of those who came before us. Over a cacophony of tabla percussions, major keys, and rababa strings imbued with R&B influences, Zeyne pays homage to her mother and grandmother, highlighting the strength and individuality passed down through generations, amidst intersections of joyful ululations that are commonly known in celebratory gatherings in the Arab world.
