2023 World Amateur Championship passes midpoint

The battles are getting more tense and exciting at the 2023 World Amateur Chess Championship, organized by the Omani Chess Committee in cooperation with FIDE. Round 5 started with the ceremonial move made by Aimen Ahmed al Hosni, the Chief Executive Officer of Oman Airports, Diamond sponsor of the event.

Some games were fiercely competitive, while on other boards, the opponents preferred a more conservative approach.

In the Open U-2300 category, the Kazakhstani FM Abilmansur Abdilkhair (pictured below) continued his hot streak, winning his fifth straight game. He outplayed Burentegsh Aldar of Mongolia in a fierce battle to maintain his leading position halfway through the tournament.

Dashtogtokh Amarsaikhan of Mongolia (pictured below) emerged as the sole leader in the Open U-2000 category. In Round 5, Amarsaikhan prevailed in a tactical game over Sri Lankan Desandhi Dhihansa to score his fifth victory. Alikhan Khazhatuly of Kazakhstan and Indian players Sham R and Ragavesh Velavaa, sitting on 4.5/5, are trailing Amarsaikhan by just a half-point.

In the Open U-1700 category, Round 5 saw the clash of six participants with 4 points each. Aleksandr Martynov (FIDE) defeated Alzaabi Humaidan (UAE), Hamed Imani (Sweden; pictured below) beat Batra Deepak, while the Mongolian derby Batnyam Munkhbat vs Ganbat Danzanjunai ended in a draw. Martynov and Imani share first place with a perfect score.

In the women’s category U-1700, the ninth-seed Bat-Amgalan Anujin of Mongolia (pictured below)bested her fellow countrywoman Naranbold Sodgerelt in a tough game to grab the sole lead. Four players on 4 points are for the second position in the race. Joining Naranbold are Baldanjantsan Khuslenzaya (Mongolia), Binoj Shybi (FIDE) and Arun Aditi (India).

Day 5 of the World Amateur Chess Championship was also marked by another sports activity organized by the Omani Chess Committee. A friendly volleyball match was played between FIDE and OCC officials, arbiters, and players. The FIDE team, led by President Arkady Dvorkovich, proved stronger in this friendly competition.