RIYADH: The United Arab Emirates’ Salem Saleh, who ranks 59th in the world and is a Grand International Master, has won first place in the Riyadh Calendar Chess Championship. The two-day event was organized by the General Entertainment Authority‎ in ‎cooperation with the Saudi Chess Federation from March 17 to 18. Bassem Amin and Fawzi Adham from Egypt, also Grand International Masters, came second and third in the competition. The competition saw over 100 ‎players from Saudi ‎Arabia and abroad compete over nine rounds to determine the winners. The winner was awarded SR300,000 ($80,000), with SR200,000 for second, and SR100,000 for third. Cash prizes were presented for up to the 10th position, totaling SR800,000. The opening stage of the competition included five rounds on the first day, with the second day having four rounds. Saleh said he was proud of his first place in the “very tough” competition. He also praised the organizers for having a well-run tournament. Ahmed Al-Mehmadi, vice president for marketing and communication at the General Entertainment Authority, and Abdullah Al-Wahshi, president of the Saudi Chess Federation, presented the awards to the winners. Al-Wahshi said the ‎appeal committee did not record any complaints or observations ‎about the referees.‎ Algeria’s Bellahcene Bilel Youcef said he hopes to play again in Saudi Arabia. “It was a wonderful ‎experience.”