Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 2: In a remarkable achievement, four-year-old Chess prodigy Hoor Fatima, hailing from Jammu and Kashmir has added another accolade to her growing list by clinching the Champion’s Cup in the Under-8 age category at the Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa 1st Ramadan Chess Tournament organized by the Bahrain Chess Federation, the tournament took place at the Al Hekma Society for Retirees in Bahrain.
The closing ceremony was a grand affair, held under the patronage of Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force. The event was graced by Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al-Hikma Association for Retirees and the Abdullah bin Khalid Parental Care Center Foundation, along with Major General Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Naeimi, the Minister of Defense Affairs. The ceremony celebrated the contributions of participants, fans, and organizers who helped make the tournament a success.
Hoor Fatima’s journey to this level is inspiring. Despite her tender age, she has shown remarkable dedication and strategic prowess, participating in international tournaments. Her journey began in Jammu and Kashmir, where her talent was nurtured from a young age. Her exceptional performance has made her a rising star in the chess community.
The tournament, directed by Ebrahim Al Burshaid, featured a Swiss-System format with nine rounds and attracted 54 participants from various countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the Philippines.
Hoor Fatima’s impressive track record includes securing the 2nd position and a prestigious medal in the under-six category at the Blitz Tournament 2024 organized by the Chess Championship Academy of Bahrain, winning 3rd place and the youngest award in the born under 2016 category at the Jeddah Festival Tournament, representing Jammu and Kashmir state in the National under-11 at Vizag, Andhra Pradesh, India, and becoming the youngest champion of the 2nd and 3rd Kashmir Open International FIDE rated chess tournaments. Additionally, she shone as a rising star in the Jeddah International Chess Festival 2024, where she secured the youngest cup and 3rd position, and earned acclaim in the Karpov Cup.
The award ceremony was a moment of pride as Hoor Fatima received her Champion’s Cup, further solidifying her status as a chess prodigy.
Dr. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa honoured the winners and contributors, highlighting the importance of such events in fostering community spirit and intellectual development. Hoor’s mother, Salma Ashai, expressed her gratitude towards the Bahrain Chess Federation for their unwavering support and encouraged more girls to take up chess and other sports. “Chess is not just a game but a tool for developing strategic thinking and discipline. We are grateful for the support and encouragement from the Bahrain Chess Federation, and I hope more young girls will be inspired to pursue sports, especially chess,” she said.
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