QATAR retained the title at the second GCC Chess Championships, while Bahrain took a third-place finish after the sixth and final round held yesterday at the Gulf Pearl Hotel premises in Manama.

The Qataris, led by Grand Master Mohammed Al-Modiahki, recovered from their loss to the UAE in the fourth round to record two consecutive wins over Kuwait and Bahrain respectively to clinch overall first place with 18 points, one ahead of their main rivals the UAE who finished second. The Qatari team also consisted of IM Mohammed Nasser, IM Hussain Aziz, Hamad Al-Tamimi and Ghanim Al-Sulaiti.

Bahrain, on the other hand, tied with Kuwait with 6½ points each after both teams suffered identical 3-1 defeats to Kuwait and the UAE respectively. However, the hosts had the advantage of beating Kuwait 2½ to 1½ points in the tournament to claim third place. The Bahrain team coached by Ebrahim Bu Khalad, comprised veteran Ali Al-Ghasra, Ayyad brothers Maher and Hussain, Mohammed Jawad and Abdulla Bo Khammas.

The six-round round robin tournament organised for the second consecutive year by the Bahrain Mind Sports Association (BMSA), was sponsored by Bapco, Alba, Al-Safeer Tours and Mishtan Group.

The final round was followed by the awarding ceremony which was held under the patronage of General Organisation for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa.

BMSA president Adel Al-Assomi attended the ceremony and honoured the champions Qatar in the presence of Arab and the UAE Chess Federation president Ebrahim Al-Bannai was also present at the ceremony. Al-Bannai arrived in Bahrain before the start of the tournament to inspect the venues and organising committee preparations to host the tournament. Al-Bannai said he was satisfied with the facilities and praised the efforts of the organisers. He also extended his appreciation to national industrial companies Bapco and Alba for sponsoring this event along with Al-Safeer Tours and Mishtan Group.

/ From The Gulf Daily News /