Launch of the Palestinian Elite Chess Championship for Men in Nablus

SadaNews - The Palestinian Elite Chess Championship for Men 2026 kicked off in Nablus, with the participation of 50 players representing various Palestinian governorates, including the highest-ranked players in Palestine, in addition to the champions of the qualifying rounds who secured their spots after fierce competitions held in different provinces.

The championship, which is sponsored by the Palestinian Telecommunications Company/ Jawwal, the Golden Rose Hotel, and the Municipality of Nablus, was inaugurated by the Deputy Governor of Nablus, Abdullah Al-Asali, and members of the municipal council including Dr. Suleiman Al-Amad and Randa Al-Shalla, alongside the Secretary-General of the Palestinian Chess Federation, Baha Masoudah, administration members, and several sports and community figures.

In his remarks on the launch of the championship, Masoudah stated: "This championship comes under the directives of the President of the Palestinian Chess Federation, Bashar Masri, and as a continuation of the series of qualifying championships organized by the Palestinian Chess Federation over the past months in various Palestinian governorates, as part of a comprehensive plan aimed at revitalizing the game, expanding participation, discovering promising talents, and enhancing the presence of the game at the national level. "

He added that the elite championship is part of a continuous series of tournaments and activities that will be organized in the upcoming period, as the federation intends to launch new tournaments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the diaspora, ensuring the continuity of chess activities and expanding participation to reach as many players as possible across the homeland.

The championship competitions are managed by a specialized judging team that includes referees Hani Talib, Mahmoud Jaradat, Muhammad Qawasmeh, and Musa Dawabsha.

It is noteworthy that the Palestinian Elite Chess Championship for Men 2026 is a key milestone in the preparation program for the Palestinian national team, as it falls within the federation's preparations for participation in the World Chess Olympiad scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan next September, with the participation of 10 players and a Palestinian referee, in addition to preparations for upcoming Arab and international competitions, which enhances the presence of Palestinian chess at various competitive levels.