After having scored a resounding success in the world of football, Morocco has recently distinguished itself in the sphere of chess thanks to the exceptional performance of Yassine Rafik, a young champion from Safi, who won first place in the world in his category at the world amateur chess championship, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on the island of Rhodes.
This international event, which took place from October 26 to November 5, 2024, saw the participation of more than 300 participants from 81 countries, demonstrating the global dimension of this competition.
Competitor in the Open category of less than 1,700, Yassine Rafik faced experienced players from all backgrounds. With an impressive score of 7.5 points, the Moroccan stood out by winning 7 matches, achieving a draw and suffering only one defeat, a journey which allowed him to rise to the top of his category. For a first international participation, this feat reveals his determination and rigor.
Organized according to the Swiss system, the competition tested participants’ strategic skills and endurance over 9 demanding rounds. With thinking time limited to 90 minutes per game, with 30 seconds added per move, each match required maximum concentration, making each victory even more meaningful.
Yassine Rafik wanted to express his gratitude to FIDE, led by Bouchra Kadiri, who played a crucial role in his preparation. He praised the unwavering support and personalized support he received throughout the competition, highlighting the impact of this support on his morale and self-confidence. “This support was decisive in my journey”, declared Yassine with emotion, reiterating that the encouragement of the federation had pushed him to give the best of himself.
FIDE, for its part, expressed its pride in this historic victory. “This success of Yassine Rafik testifies to the hard work and constant training of Moroccan players”, she declared in an official press release, highlighting the determination shown by Yassine to win this title.
