The FIDE100 torch relay centenary celebration came to Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 21 August 2024, with a landmark event at the Marina Mall — marking one of the most significant moments in the 100-year history of the International Chess Federation. The ceremony was sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games and officially supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Club.
Abu Dhabi Chosen as a Landmark Stop for FIDE100
Abu Dhabi's selection as a host city for the FIDE centenary torch relay reflects the emirate's growing stature in international sport. The city was also chosen to host the 2028 World Chess Olympiad, cementing its long-term commitment to the global chess community.
The Abu Dhabi event coincided with the 30th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, which drew more than 2,200 players from 82 countries — one of the largest chess gatherings in the region's history.
High-Profile Attendees at the Marina Mall Ceremony
The event attracted a distinguished line-up of officials and chess royalty:
- Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, who received a commemorative gold medal from FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich - Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President - Sheikh Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Mualla, FIDE Vice President - Viswanathan Anand, five-time World Chess Champion and FIDE Deputy President - Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club
Simultaneous Matches Showcase Elite Grandmasters
Two high-profile simultaneous exhibitions were held as part of the ceremony. African and Arab Champion Grandmaster Ahmed Adly and Qatar Chess Federation President Grandmaster Mohammed Al Mudhahka each played against 15 opponents at the same time, delivering a compelling display of grandmaster skill for the Abu Dhabi audience.
The Torch Relay's Final Destination: Budapest
The Abu Dhabi stop was the culminating leg of the FIDE100 torch relay before it headed to Budapest, Hungary, for the 45th Chess Olympiad, scheduled from 10 to 23 September 2024. The relay linked chess communities around the world in celebration of FIDE's centenary, with Abu Dhabi serving as its final international host before the Olympiad's opening.
Abu Dhabi's Expanding Role in Global Chess
The hosting of this milestone event reinforces Abu Dhabi's determination to nurture and promote intellectual sports on the world stage. With the 2028 World Chess Olympiad already secured, the emirate is positioning itself as a permanent fixture on the international chess calendar — and this centenary ceremony was a fitting statement of that ambition.
