Abdalrahman Sameh Mohamed performed his first match in January, received the African Youth Championship in June, and on Thursday took it one step additional to sensationally win the Egyptian Chess Championship. He is simply ten years previous.
Abdalrahman, with a 2105 FIDE score, was seeded solely 18th amongst 369 gamers within the Egyptian Chess Championship, held in Cairo from July 2-11. Seven IMs and 6 FMs competed within the area, however the teenager cruised to an unbelievable 10.5/11 to take clear first place and the trophy.
He was a full level forward of Alaa Ahmed Ahmed who completed second on 9.5 factors, whereas FM David George Samir, born in 2011, took third on 9 factors.
| Rank | Title | Title | Score | Factors |
| 1 | Abdalrahman Sameh Mohamed | 2105 | 10.5 | |
| 2 | Ahmed Alaa Ahmed | 2268 | 9.5 | |
| 3 | FM | David George Samir | 2104 | 9 |
| 4 | IM | Mohsen Elgabry | 2115 | 8.5 |
| 5 | IM | Hamed Wafa | 2356 | 8.5 |
| 6 | CM | Ahmed Kandil | 2127 | 8.5 |
| 7 | IM | Abdul Hameed El Arousy | 2061 | 8.5 |
| 8 | Hany Sayed | 2029 | 8.5 | |
| 9 | CM | Mina Wael Sabry | 2045 | 8.5 |
| 10 | CM | Hosam Ibrahim | 2203 | 8.5 |
| 11 | FM | Ashraf Amin | 2118 | 8.5 |
| 12 | IM | Adham Kandil | 2286 | 8.5 |
(Full standings at Chess-Outcomes.com)
A lot of the nation’s prime gamers had been lacking from the occasion, together with world number-73 GM Bassem Amin and former World Junior Champion GM Ahmed Adly, however the stage was under no circumstances a pushover for a 10-year-old.
Abdalrahman scored six wins towards gamers rated under 2100, then added victories towards a 2050 and a 2104-rated participant. The actual take a look at got here in spherical eight, towards IM Hamed Wafa, however the 10-year-old scored a formidable attacking victory.
His solely draw within the occasion got here within the following spherical, towards Ahmed (2268), from a profitable place. It did not matter, as he went on to win his two remaining video games, ending on a surprising rating and a 2466 score efficiency.
Chess.com has not been capable of finding a youthful nationwide chess champion in latest instances, which may imply that might have set a formidable document. By comparability, GM Alireza Firouzja was 12 when he grew to become Iranian Chess Champion in 2016/17. In 1958 GM Bobby Fischer grew to become US Chess Champion at 14, whereas GM Magnus Carlsen was 15 in 2006.
Abdalrahman’s score graph reveals an explosive rise since he acquired his first score of 1679 in February. Rated 2105 on the July listing, he’s set to realize 151 factors after his efficiency within the Egyptian Chess Championship. That takes him to 2256, and he’s seemingly among the many top-three gamers on the earth born after 2014.
Egypt’s first grandmaster Adly informed Chess.com he has by no means witnessed a expertise like Mohamed, noting that his debut in rated tournaments got here in January: “It’s insane. To let you know the reality, I can’t clarify it,” he stated.
It’s insane. To let you know the reality, I can’t clarify it.
—Ahmed Adly
Because the interim chief of the Egyptian Chess Federation, he is aware of the household properly, having travelled with them to the African Youth Championship in South Africa in June, an occasion that the child received with 9/9. The grandmaster famous that Mohamed is skilled by his father, who just isn’t a chess participant himself, and that the household has restricted assets.
Adly says that whereas the brand new chess champion has not too long ago benefited from teaching from sturdy gamers by way of a chess academy, nobody can take credit score for his outstanding rise. “I did analyze with him just a few instances. He’s analzying like an engine. Perhaps he’s a brand new Bobby Fischer,” Adly says.
Amin additionally expressed his amazement: “He’s undoubtedly the most important expertise in Egyptian chess historical past. I actually hope he will get the sponsorship and assist he deserves to maintain enhancing and hopefully struggle for the world title at some point. What occurs subsequent is what actually issues.”
He’s undoubtedly the most important expertise in Egyptian chess historical past.
—Bassem Amin
The grandmaster would not assume such a prodigy showing within the nation is stunning, as on-line chess assets imply that skills come from wherever on the earth. He highlighted Egypt’s promising group of rising skills, noting that 4 of the highest six gamers within the occasion are under the age of 16.
“I really feel proud watching all these younger stars arising and beginning to shine. It’s my dream to see Egyptian chess at some point like India now, and it began by inspiration from Vishy,” Amin stated.
Abdalrahman will get to check himself towards the world’s elite subsequent month. Based on Adly, he is set to take part for an Egyptian crew within the FIDE World Speedy & Blitz Staff Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan, which begins August 2.
