Saudis brush aside controversies to host chess tourney


Norwegian chess player Magnus Carlsen (right) at the King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Championships, the first international chess competition held in Saudi Arabia, in the capital Riyadh yesterday. – AFP pic, December 27, 2017.

SAUDI Arabia brushed aside rulings from top clerics to host a big money chess tournament, but the gambit to improve the kingdom’s image has been jolted by regional powerplays.

The landmark event and its record US$2 million (RM9 million) prize pot come as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks to repackage his oil-rich nation as more welcoming – and moderate.


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