Unveiling the grandmasters: Egypt’s rising chess pioneers

As the world celebrated International Chess Day on Saturday 20 July, the spotlight shines brightly on Egypt’s formidable chess talent, a tapestry woven with the stories of remarkable grandmasters who have etched their names in the game.

In the heart of Cairo, Bassem Amin stands tall as the country’s chess icon, a medical doctor by profession and a grandmaster by passion. Amin’s journey is one of unwavering dedication and unparalleled success, having secured the grandmaster title in 2006 and reigning as the highest-rated Egyptian and African player, with a FIDE (International Chess Federation) peak rating of 2700+.

Chess Championships, claiming titles in the U10, U12, and U14 divisions. His prodigious talent was further showcased when he finished fourth in the 2004 World Youth Chess Championship U-16 in Greece, paving the way for his historic victory at the 2005 African Junior Chess Championship, which qualified him for the World Junior Chess Championship.

Amin’s dominance extends beyond the continental stage, as he etched his name in the Arab Chess Championship, securing his first grandmaster norm in 2005, the same year he won the African championship and finished third in the World Youth Chess Championship (U18).

Alongside Amin’s remarkable rise, the Egyptian chess landscape has given birth to another trailblazer – Ahmed Adly. With a staggering HPI (Historiographical Performance Index) of 29.00, Adly is the most famous Egyptian chess player, with his biography translated into an astounding 20 different languages on Wikipedia. 

Adly’s journey is one of precocious talent, as he acquired the International Master title in 2001 at the tender age of 14 during the U20 Championship of 2004.