UAE’s rising chess talent, 15-year-old Rouda Al Serkal, concluded her debut at the Norway Chess Open with an impressive performance, winning three consecutive games to finish strong in the General Masters (GM) category.
Al Serkal, competing against seasoned international players, ended the tournament with 4 points from nine rounds, a remarkable feat given her early challenges.
Her final result demonstrated not only her technical skills but also her resilience and ability to recover after setbacks.
Early struggles and comeback
Al Serkal entered the tournament in Stavanger with confidence, fresh from a strong performance at the Asian Individual Women’s Championship in Al Ain.
However, the opening round on May 26 did not go as planned. She faced Swedish Grandmaster Platon Galperin, one of the highest-rated players in the open category. Despite a valiant effort, Al Serkal lost after 56 moves, an outcome she described as mentally tough.
“It was tough to start like that and then mentally recover from there – I was disappointed,” she said. “I didn’t feel like I was getting my game right, and it was demoralising to lose after such a long fight. But I knew I had to regroup quickly.”
Steady recovery and strong finish
After the initial setback, Al Serkal bounced back in the following rounds, securing a draw against American Luke Leon Robin Anatol and then experiencing another loss to Spain’s Lucia Follana Albelda. Yet, Al Serkal’s determination did not waver. She earned her first victory in round seven against Norway’s Sigur H. Myny, followed by another win against Italian Mauro Pivi.
Her third consecutive win came in the final round on Sunday, when she defeated France’s Franck Gouanelle. Al Serkal finished the tournament with three wins, two draws, and four losses, highlighting her potential and mental strength.
A milestone for UAE chess
Al Serkal’s participation in the GM category of the Norway Chess Open marks a significant milestone for UAE chess, as she is the first Emirati woman to compete at this level. Though she hoped to gain 100 rating points, she acknowledged that most of her losses were close matches where she had a clear advantage but lost her way toward the end.
“It was a learning experience more than anything else,” Al Serkal said. “I’m proud I stayed with it. Ending with three wins felt really special – I feel like I’m still leaving stronger than I arrived although I could have done much better.”
Global recognition for UAE talent
Kjell Madland, the tournament founder, praised Al Serkal’s performance, saying, “It is exactly this kind of story that reinforces Norway Chess as a truly global platform. To have young talents like Rouda travel all the way from the UAE to compete at this level adds richness and reach to what we’re building here in Stavanger.”
As the tournament continues with top players like Magnus Carlsen and Koneru Humpy in the elite Norway Chess super tournament, Al Serkal’s journey serves as an inspiring example of perseverance and growth in the world of chess.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
