The UAE could soon have its youngest-ever chess Grandmasters, as students as young as 11 years old start dominating in competitive chess while setting their sights on the game's ultimate prize, becoming a grandmaster.

"I started playing with my family at home. What began as a fun game turned into something much bigger when I realised I could compete and win for the UAE," Alia Fahed AlHarazi, 12, told Khaleej Times.

Four rising stars - Alia, 12-year-old Mariam Khalifa AlQubaisi (UAE Under-14 Champion), and 11-year-olds Abdulla AlBusaeedi and Khalid Sharif AlAlawi (both UAE medalists) - train under Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games.

Still in school, these students train two to three times a week while making great improvements in their ratings and earning regular tournament victories.

They are making all the right moves on the board while getting good grades in school.

"My mom introduced me to chess, and it started as a hobby after school, but with time, it became a daily routine and my main ambition. I became UAE champion, and now I want to become a grandmaster.” Mariam told Khaleej Times

The young Emiratis are currently competing in an international chess festival in Abu Dhabi, where they are expected to gain experience to reach their goals.

The 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, running until August 24, features 3,000 players from 82 countries with a Dh500,000 prize fund-making it one of the world's largest chess festivals.

Their ambitions are built on the Emirati chess legacy. The UAE's chess journey began in 1976, producing the first Grandmaster, Taleb Moussa, in 2004, followed by Salem Saleh, who reached a peak rating of 2690, which put him in the top 50 chess players list.

"I want to be like Salem Saleh, who became a grandmaster and is now playing in master tournaments. With training, I hope I can be like him,” Abdulla AlBusaeedi told Khaleej Times.

For these young players, the impact of chess extends beyond the competitive world of tournaments. "I always think before I do anything now, this is because of chess and how I think before every move, now I have to use it even in school", Khalid AlAlawi told Khaleej Times.

It is their local chess club that hosts training sessions and pushes them to compete internationally. "The chess club feels like a second home; this is where I find my friends and I have fun.” Said Alalawi

Their focus is now centred on the current festival, where they're testing skills against international talent. "I want to test myself against strong players and gain experience. Winning would be amazing, and I'm sure I would be able to win against one of these rated players in the upcoming rounds," said Alya

Alia's ambition is "to become the second Emirati woman grandmaster and to inspire more girls in the UAE to take up chess."

Early this year, 15-year-old Rouda Essa Alserkal became the first Emirati and Gulf player to earn the Woman Grandmaster title.

Rouda's achievement has inspired all young Emirati chess players who are currently competing at the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival.

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