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The Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival is an annual chess event held in this capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). One of the biggest events in Abu Dhabi, this chess tournament is extremely popular in the region.
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Chess and Culture Club, the organization that governs this sport in the city. Catering to chess players of various age groups, this tournament is keenly awaited by players and sports lovers.
Chess is one of the most popular sports in Dubai and commands a huge following. The Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival witnesses participation by some of the most renowned chess players from world over. A number of Grand Masters (GM) and International Masters (IM) can be seen in action during this chess fest.
The 15th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival was held from 14th to 23rd August 2006 at the magnificent Khalidia Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi. A fascinating and serene setup on the pristine waters of Arabian Gulf, Khalidia Palace is one of the most popular hotels in Abu Dhabi. It was the perfect venue for a tournament of chess, a game that demands concentration and tranquility.
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, in its 15th edition, drew participation from 43 countries across the globe. 34 GMs and 18 IMs, along with a host of others, competed in the event that was held under the patronage of Lt. Gen. Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival includes Masters Championships and an Open Tournament with participants competing under various categories like Under-12, Under-16 and Blitz.
Cash prizes for the Masters Championships were 60,319 Dirhams ($16,400). The top 15 competitors were awarded cash prizes. The 15th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival was won by Ashot Anastasian of Armenia, while the second spot went to Dmitry Bocharov of Russia.
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