Mohammed Bin Rashid Library & UAE Chess Federation Honour Winners & Participants in Chess Championship

Dubai, UAE, 22 July 2026: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library ended its chess championship, organised in collaboration with the UAE Chess Federation, to celebrate World Chess Day. The championship was attended by elite players and enthusiasts of all ages, reflecting the Library's leading role in supporting intellectual and cultural activities and promoting chess as a tool for developing thinking skills and creativity.

Dr. Mohammed Salem AlMazrooei, Board Member at Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, said: "Building a knowledge society includes providing interactive platforms that contribute to developing intellectual skills and refining the capabilities of various segments of society, not just providing access to knowledge resources."

AlMazrooei continued: "The chess championship reflects the Library's commitment to offering programs that combine culture and learning, fostering strategic thinking and creativity. This comes in line with its vision of establishing knowledge as a way of life and empowering individuals to develop their potential in an environment that encourages innovation and excellence."

AlMazrooei added: "With a rich collection of books and references specialising in chess, we are committed to offering diverse knowledge resources that cater to the interests of readers, amateurs, and professionals, and support the dissemination of this intellectual sport amongst the community."

Abdullah Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary General of the UAE Chess Federation, said: "Our collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library marks an important milestone in our efforts to promote chess and reinforce its position as an intellectual sport that develops critical thinking, analytical skills, and creativity across all segments of society".

He added: "The championship attracted impressive participation from players and enthusiasts of different ages and nationalities, reflecting the growing popularity of this intellectual sport across the UAE".

He concluded: "We highly value the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's efforts in hosting and organising this championship, and its role in providing an inspiring environment that brings together learning and competition, supporting the promotion of chess and fostering the values of concentration, planning, and intellectual development across the community".

The championship brought together 50 competitors from various nationalities. Liennys Ferrer Naranjo claimed first place, Shayan Saljooghi finished second, and Taanish Sood secured third place.

In collaboration with the UAE Chess Federation, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library honoured the top three winners in recognition of their outstanding performances and the exceptional strategic thinking and concentration they demonstrated throughout the championship. The Library also recognised the organisations and partners whose contributions played a key role in the event's success.

At the conclusion of the championship, participants commended the high standard of organisation and the inspiring cultural and knowledge-driven environment provided by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. They also emphasised the importance of continuing to organise initiatives and events that bring together culture and mind sports, contributing to the development of intellectual skills and stronger community engagement.

The championship forms part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's ongoing efforts to diversify its cultural and educational programmes and deliver high-quality initiatives that cater to the interests of all segments of society in collaboration with its strategic partners. These efforts further reinforce the Library's position as a leading hub for knowledge and creativity, and a destination for events that bring together culture, education, and innovation, contributing to the development of a knowledge-based society.