Egyptian national open chess championship

Egyptian National Open Chess Championship: Despite being only 10 years old, Egyptian chess prodigy Abdalrahman Sameh Mohamed demonstrates maturity and skill on the chessboard far beyond his years. In July, Mohamed triumphed in the Egyptian National Open Chess Championship, where he faced seasoned adult players, securing 10 victories and one draw. This achievement followed his success in the African Youth Championship in June.

Abdalrahman became the first player in history to win his country's open championship at the age of ten, reports Xinhua. "In chess, I want to become the world champion in the future. As for my studies, I aspire to be a doctor," the young talent shared with Xinhua during an unofficial tournament at Cairo International Stadium.

Mohamed began playing chess at the age of eight, initially drawn to the game of kings for its reliance on strategic thinking and planning. His father introduced him to chess as a way to steer him away from an obsession with mobile games. "I realised his talent when he started beating me. That's when I knew he was gifted, being able to defeat an older player and even his coach," recalled Sameh Mohamed, Abdalrahman's father.