Chess’s history in the Middle East is unclear, although according to Al Arabiya, Arabs introduced the game to Europeans during the Crusades and in Andalusia. While many attribute Chess to China and others attribute it to India, the game’s origin is still a mystery. Some records point out that many elites of Arab and Muslim societies were huge fans of the game as it piqued the interest of rulers, caliphs, writers, and poets.
Today, many perceive chess to be strictly strategy but with that strategy comes creativity and problem-solving. The Middle East is home to a number of exceptional talent where players have amassed a number of titles whether it’s the African Chess Championship or the World Youth Chess Championship.
In light of this, we have compiled a list of top Arab chess “Grandmasters,” the highest title a chess player can achieve and who have participated in major international competitions.
Bassem Amin
Basseem Amin is an Egyptian grandmaster and six-time African Chess Champion, Amin won three Arab Chess Championships, numerous titles in Africa and the Arab world and three bronze medals in the World Junior Chess Championships. He also has the highest rating in Africa and Egypt, and as of Oct. 2022, he is the first player from that continent to break the 2700 rating threshold, the highest rating being 2882 by grandmaster Magnus Carlsen.
Ahmed Adly
Egypt’s Ahmed Adly was the sensational winner of the 2007 World Junior Championship, during the tournament Adly was able to upset heavy favorites Wang Hao (2643) and Daniel Stellwagen (2639) to win the title. He represented Egypt in over 50 countries and is well-known for his superior ability to predict the other player’s future moves. Apart from chess, Adly is an expert fencer, and has a talent for ice skating too!
Salem Salah
An unprecedented Emirati chess prodigy? Yes, Salem Salah is an Emirati grandmaster who started winning professional championships by the age of 10 and was named a grandmaster by the International Chess Federation at the young age of 16. Throughout his career, Saleh won the Arab Individual Blitz Chess Championship in 2017 and in 2018. Then in August 2016, he won both the Asian Chess Championship and the Asian blitz chess championship. His latest victory is when he won the 27th Sharjah International Rapid in 2022.
Bilel Bellahcene
Algeria’s Bilel Bellahcene is a talented grandmaster who qualified for the 2021 International Chess Federation World Cup. Bellahcene won men’s African individual games in 2018 and was able to qualify for the 2019 Chess World Cup in Russia. Interestingly, Bellahcene was born in Strasbourg, France, but changed his federation from France to Algeria in July 2018.
Abdelrahman Hesham
Egyptian chess player Abdelrahman Hesham was awarded the title Grandmaster by the International Federation of Chess in 2016. He represented Egypt in two Chess Olympiads and won the 2016 African Chess Championship, which earned him the title of grandmaster. His highest rating is 2450 but currently isn’t participating in any upcoming tournaments.
While there is still opportunity for the game to develop in the Arab world, it is always crucial to recognize such talent and spread awareness of the game among all age groups and even young children can benefit from the game’s mental stimulation.
