The Lebanese Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Federation, under the leadership of retired Colonel General Elias Abu Joudah, organized the Fourth Lebanese Chinese Friendship Championship in collaboration with the Sports Association in Deir al-Qamar and under the patronage of the Association’s President, Jihad Najjar. The event took place on September 10, 2023, in Deir al-Qamar.
The matches were supervised by retired Colonel General Elias Abu Joudah, and the chief referee was Colonel Osama Jouhar, assisted by Mr. Ghassan Aboudiwan.
The tournament was attended by various notable individuals, including Mr. Naji Maroun, the Deputy Chairman of the Social Association in Qanaya Jall El Dib, Mr. Tony Khairallah, the Head of the Sports Committee in the Social Association and a member of the Storm Club, Dr. Habib Al-Jardi, the Tournament Director from the Sports Association in Deir al-Qamar, Mr. Kassem Tofailli, the President of the Arab Chinese Cooperation and Development Association, Mr. Khaled Badee, the President of Al-Ahli Club – Sidon and the former President of the Lebanese Chess Federation.
Furthermore, the tournament’s success was also contributed to by Mr. Warf Qumeiha, the President of the Lebanese Chinese Dialogue Road Association and a representative of China Today magazine, along with several members of the Lebanese Chess Federation, including Mr. Ahmed Najjar, Mr. Hani Mekati, and Mr. Raymond Atieh. Additionally, the military attaché at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Colonel Muataz, was present, along with a large crowd of Lebanese and Chinese supporters and enthusiasts.
The tournament featured 48 players representing various clubs and organizations, including the Storm Club in Jall El Dib, the Lebanese Army team, Sannabel Beirut Club, Al-Mashariq Sporting Club in Beirut, Al-Ahli Club in Sidon, and the Iman School in Aramoun. Additionally, players from the Saint George School in Salim, the Arab Chinese Cooperation and Development Association, the Sports Association in Deir al-Qamar, and Chinese players from the staff of the People’s Republic of China Embassy and those residing in Lebanon also participated.
The players were divided into two categories:
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General Category: 6 rounds.
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Beginner Category (All Ages): 6 rounds.
Round Duration: 10 minutes plus 3 seconds.
The results were as follows after tiebreaks:
General Category:
1- Lei Li (6 pts) – Chinese player
2- Ahmad Najjar (4.5 pts) – Sanabel club
3- Chen Guoxiang (4.5 pts) – Chinese player
4- Marwan Charbel Lebanese Army (4 pts)
Beginner Category (All Ages):
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Louis Alam (5 points) – Storm Club, Jall El Dib
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Osama Shu’ara (5 points) – Al-Ahli Club, Sidon
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Eliu Mishqa (5 points) – Storm Club, Jall El Dib
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Manuel Abu Joudah (4 points) – Storm Club, Jall El Dib
The best female player in the tournament among the adults was awarded to the young player Miss Lara Hanna (Saint George School, Salim).
The best player under 12 years old, who competed with strong players, was earned by Angelo Maroun (Storm Club).
In addition, prizes were distributed to the best players from the participating clubs:
– Sports Association in Deir al-Qamar: Tony Ziadeh
– Storm Club: Johnny Abu Joudah
– Al-Ahli Club, Sidon: Mahmoud Badee
– Al-Mashariq Sporting Club: Ali Khalf
– Lebanese Army: Marwan Charbel
– Arab Chinese Cooperation and Development Association: Hadi Tofailli
– Iman School, Aramoun: Ahmed Mouski
Welcoming speeches were delivered before and after the tournament by the President of the Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Federation, retired Colonel General Elias Abu Joudah, and Mr. Jihad Najjar, the President of the Sports Association in Deir al-Qamar.
Finally, Colonel Osama Jouhar announced the final results of the tournament, and the prizes, medals, and trophies were distributed to the winners by President of the Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Federation, retired Colonel General Elias Abu Joudah, and representatives of the participating associations in the tournament.
