Doha, September 26 (QNA) - The Qatar Chess Association announced the launch of the first edition of the Qatar Rapid Team Chess Championship 2025, which will take place at the Qatar Chess Training Center on Oct. 16, 2025.

In a statement issued today, the federation said that the two-day tournament will be open to all players holding a FIDE rating. The first three rounds will be played on Oct. 16, while the final rounds will be held on Oct. 17.

Registration will close on Oct. 5, and team pairings will be drawn before the start of each round. The organizing committee reserves the right to make any necessary adjustments to ensure fairness and competitive integrity.

The federation outlined the rules and criteria for participating in teams: each team must consist of four players, three on the open boards and one on a board dedicated to the women’s category. Players holding the FM, IM, or GM titles may play only on the first board, while female players holding these titles may compete on either the first or fourth board.

The tournament will follow FIDE regulations, using a seven-round Swiss system with a time control of 10 minutes plus a 5-second increment per move. The total prize fund is set at 21,000 Qatari riyals.

Executive Director of the Qatar Chess Association Hamad Al Tamimi told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the event is expected to attract a large number of players, noting that its aim is to increase the popularity of chess in Qatar and create a competitive environment for players.

Al Tamimi added that this newly introduced championship is part of the federation’s plans to advance the sport, adding that preparations are progressing smoothly and all arrangements for the start of the competition have been completed.

He also confirmed that members of the national teams will take part in the tournament to gain more competitive experience and sharpen their focus as they prepare for upcoming Arab and continental championships. (QNA)