Sharjah 24: Salem Abdel Rahman, a UAE national team member and fellow of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club, won his first-round victory in this year's "Sharjah Masters" chess tournament, which was held under the patronage of the His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

The competition, which runs until May 30, features 80 male and female athletes from 48 nations competing for $60,000 in total awards. All of the contestants in this tournament are world champions.

The tournament's opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Mualla, President of the Arab Chess Federation and Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club; Khalid Issa Al Midfa, Assistant Secretary-General of the Public Sports Authority; Dr Sarhan Hassan Al Muaini, President of the Emirates Chess Federation; and a large crowd of local, regional, and international chess officials.