The Open: The Road to Al Ain Echess Championship

Introducing The Open—the last stage of The Road to Al Ain Echess Championship and is open to all players at every skill level. Featuring a Wild Card competition and a dedicated Youth Division, it offers everyone a pathway to secure their place in the Grand Final.

With a combined prize pool of USD $60,000 across the series and a live Grand Final at the Danat Al Ain Resort in the UAE, The Open is a celebration of global chess excellence and inclusivity. This stage ensures that every chess enthusiast—from rising stars to seasoned players—has a chance to compete for glory.

The tournament culminates in the live Grand Final, where six finalists—including the Wild Card winner, two youth champions, and regional champions—will battle for the championship title in a round-robin and double-elimination format.

The Road to Al Ain: A Global Chess Journey

With three Regional Finals completed, the tournament now shifts its focus to the WildCard Open and Youth Qualifiers, which are open for registration.

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)

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REUP: The next top 3 players from each regional final will be 'REUP'd' into the Open KO Qualifier—offering them a second chance to qualify for the Grand Final.

WildCard Open

Wildcard Open Spots: The Wild Card Open offers players multiple chances to secure a coveted place in the Grand Final.
Dates: December 15, 2024 – January 19, 2025.

Youth Division (13-18)

Open Youth Qualifiers: Under-18 Swiss-format tournaments identify the top youth players from each division.
Open Youth Finals: The top youth competitors will secure two direct-entry spots in the Grand Final, highlighting the next generation of chess talent.
Key Dates:
- Youth Qualifiers: January 12, 2025 (two sessions: 4:00 PM AEDT → 6:00 PM AEDT and 8:30 PM AEDT → 11:30 PM AEDT).
- Youth Finals: January 18, 2025 (8:30 PM AEDT → 11:30 PM AEDT, camera-enabled matches, with parental consent and release forms required).

The Road to Al Ain Grand Final

Six Finalists: The Grand Final brings together regional champions, the Wild Card winner, and two youth champions.
Format: A round-robin phase followed by double-elimination knockout matches ensures fairness and maximum excitement.
Dates: TBA
- Day A: Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
- Day B: Sunday, February 2, 2025. (reserve day)

The Road to Al Ain Prize Pool

Total USD $60,000: Includes USD $35,000 in qualifier prizes and USD $25,000 for the Grand Final.
Travel, accommodation, and meals: Covered for all Grand Finalists at the Danat Al Ain Resort, hosted by the Al Ain Chess and Mind Sports Club.

Tournament Timeline

Wildcard Open Events

Wildcard Open 1-6: Completed
Wildcard Open 7: Sunday, January 5, 2025
AEDT: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | UTC: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | GST: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Wildcard Open 8: Sunday, January 5, 2025
AEDT: 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM | UTC: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | GST: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Wildcard Open 9: Sunday, January 12, 2025
AEDT: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | UTC: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM | GST: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wildcard Open 10: Sunday, January 12, 2025
AEDT: 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM | UTC: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | GST: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Wildcard Open 11: Sunday, January 12, 2025
AEDT: 1:00 AM – 4:00 AM | UTC: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | GST: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wildcard Open 12: Thursday, January 16, 2025
AEDT: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | UTC: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM | GST: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Wildcard Open 13: Thursday, January 16, 2025
AEDT: 9:30 PM – 12:30 AM | UTC: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | GST: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Wildcard Open 14: Thursday, January 16, 2025
AEDT: 1:00 AM – 4:00 AM | UTC: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | GST: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wildcard Open 15: Friday, January 17, 2025
AEDT: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | UTC: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | GST: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Wildcard Open 16: Friday, January 17, 2025
AEDT: 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM | UTC: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | GST: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Wildcard Open 17: Saturday, January 18, 2025
AEDT: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | UTC: 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM | GST: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Wildcard Open 18: Saturday, January 18, 2025
AEDT: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | UTC: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | GST: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Wildcard Open KO Final

Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025
AEDT: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | UTC: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | GST: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

REUP:The top 3 Regional Qualifier players will be 'REUP'd' into the Open KO Qualifier—offering them a second chance to qualify for the Grand Final.

Youth Division Timeline

Youth Open Qualifier 1: Sunday, January 12, 2025
AEDT: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | UTC: 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM | GST: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Youth Open Qualifier 2: Sunday, January 12, 2025
AEDT: 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM | UTC: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM | GST: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Youth Open Finals: Saturday, January 18, 2025
AEDT: 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM | UTC: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM | GST: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Grand Final (Live)

Grand Final (Day A): Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Grand Final (Day B): Sunday, February 2, 2025 (reserve day)

Key Highlights

Open Opportunities: The Wild Card competition and youth division provide inclusive pathways to the Grand Final.
Elite Youth Focus: Dedicated events highlight emerging talent and inspire the next generation of chess players.
Free Entry: Participation in The Open is completely free for all players.
Prestigious Live Final: Grand Finalists will experience five-star accommodations and professional play at the Danat Al Ain Resort.

Be Part of The Open

This is your chance to shine on the Road to Al Ain. Register now to compete in The Open and secure your place in The Road to Al Ain Echess Championship.

* $60,000 includes Checkmate Live crowns, pro passes, USDC, and a USD $25,000 Grand Final prize pool.
*** Youth Open Qualifiers do not include USDC and require parental consent for players under 18. Minimum age to participate is 13.
** All entrants must be able to travel and compete in the Live Final in the UAE on February 2, 2025. Flights and accommodations are included.

Don’t miss your final chance to shine! Register now for the WildCard and Youth Open and secure your spot in the Road to Al Ain $60,000 Echess Championship!