The Open: The Road to Al Ain Echess Championship

Get ready for the final stage of the Road to Al Ain Chess Championship! The Open welcomes players of all skill levels to battle for a coveted spot in the Grand Final. With a total prize pool of USD $60,000 spread across the series, secure the final spot in the Grand Final for a share of the USD $25,000 prize—plus grab a share of USDC and loot available in the Open qualifiers. This tournament is your pathway to glory and rewards—all from the comfort of your own home on Checkmate.Live.

The series concludes with a live online Grand Final, where four finalists—comprising the Open winner and the regional champions—will battle for the championship title online in a double-elimination format.

Regional Final Champions

• AO (Asia & Oceania): GM Pranav "chessplayer2000" Venkatesh (India)
• EAS (Europe & Southern Africa): GM David “ensaladadecarne” Larino Nieto (Spain)
• AM (Americas): GM Jose Eduardo "JospemG" Martinez Alcantara (Mexico)

REUP:
The top 3 players from each regional final have been 'REUP'd' into the Open KO Qualifier—offering them a second chance to battle for the final spot in the Grand Final.

Players can enter as many qualifiers as you wish from 13+.

The Road to Al Ain highlights include:

• Global Inclusion: Open to both rated and unrated players, with divisions for Under 2000, Under 2300, and an Open division
• Redemption Games: If a player doesn’t qualify in their first attempt, they can enter additional qualifiers, creating thrilling opportunities for unexpected victories and upsets as competitors from all levels strive to advance.

Qualifier Dates:
Sunday, March 9, 2025 – Sunday, May 11, 2025

Stage 1 – Online Open Qualifiers

• Speed: Blitz 3+2
• Format: Swiss tournament (up to 9 rounds)
• Advancement: The top 2 players from each qualifier advance to Stage 2
• Eligibility: Open to players aged 13+ (enter as many qualifiers as you wish)
• When: Sunday, March 9, 2025 – Sunday, May 11, 2025
• Tournaments: 24

Stage 2 – Open KO Final

Speed: Blitz 3+2
Format: Single-elimination knockout
Advancement: The winner advances to the online Grand Final
Participants: 64 players, including the top 3 qualifiers from each regional final
Match Details:

• Two games per matchup, played at a 3+2 time control (3 minutes per player with a 2-second increment)
• If tied after two games, an Armageddon game is played (White: 5 minutes; Black: 4 minutes—with Black winning on a draw)

Venue: Checkmate Live
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Time: AEST 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM | UTC 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | GST 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Stage 3 – The Road to Al Ain Grand Final

• Participants: 4 Zonal Champions
• Format: Double-elimination knockout featuring four Zone champions
• Prize: The Final Four will play off for USD $25,000.
• Goal: The last player standing after all rounds is crowned the ultimate champion. If the finalist from the Winner’s Bracket loses in the Grand Final, a redemption match will determine the ultimate winner.
• Game Format: Each match is a best-of-2 games, with the champion determined based on match outcomes in both brackets played over cascading time controls
• Cascading Time Controls: 10+0, 15+3, 3+2
• Venue: Checkmate Live 
• Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025
• Time: AEST 9:00 PM - 3:00 AM (next day) | UTC 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | GST 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Regional Final Champions

• AO (Asia & Oceania): GM Pranav "chessplayer2000" Venkatesh (India)
• EAS (Europe & Southern Africa): GM David “ensaladadecarne” Larino Nieto (Spain)
• AM (Americas): GM Jose Eduardo "JospemG" Martinez Alcantara (Mexico)
• Open: You!

Player Advisory: Change from LAN to Online Event

Due to rescheduling, the Road to Al Ain Grand Final will now be conducted online on Sunday, June 15, 2025. The online Grand Final: The online format ensures that the championship is accessible to players and finalists worldwide.