The qualification phase of the fifth 'Zakovat-Gambit' chess tournament has officially drawn to a close, marking a record-breaking year for the popular intellectual competition in Uzbekistan. Organizers reported an unprecedented turnout, with a total of 5831 participants registering from across the nation to compete for a substantial total prize pool of 620 million soums.

According to the organizing committee, the preliminary matches spanned six days. Face-to-face games were held across all 14 regions of the country from October 19 to 23, followed by an online qualification round hosted on the chess.com platform on October 24 to accommodate players who missed the regional events.

This year's tournament introduced structural modifications to the qualification process, blending regional live matches with online elimination rounds to offer players a second chance at advancement. The upcoming semi-finals are scheduled for October 28 in Tashkent, while the grand finals will take place on October 29 and 30.

To ensure fair competition, participants are divided into five distinct categories (A, B, C, D, and E) based on their FIDE ratings and skill levels, allowing both amateurs and professionals to vie for top honors. Each group features lucrative cash prizes, including 50 million soums for first place, 30 million for second, and 20 million for third, alongside dedicated awards for women, the youngest participant, and the most senior veteran competitor.

Source: kun.uz