Asia & Oceania Regional Final (AO)
The top AO performers have emerged on the Road to Al Ain, earning their spots in the Regional Final. This page provides everything finalists need to know.
The Road to Al Ain Echess Championship
Event Overview
Welcome to the ASIA & OCEANIA Regional Final of The Road to Al Ain Echess Championship—a USD $60K global tournament celebrating the Al Ain Chess Club's 25th anniversary. This series has offered players multiple divisions with numerous opportunities to qualify, providing a clear path from online qualifiers to an all-expenses-paid final in the UAE.
Participants will engage in head-to-head matches featuring the Checkmate Live video feature, allowing viewers to watch every game live on the platform as players compete face-to-face online. Each zone—AO (Asia and Oceania), EAS (Europe and Southern Africa), MENTA (Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey), and AM (Americas)—hosts a 3+2 Blitz single-elimination head-to-head knockout tournament.
Each matchup consists of two games. In the event of a tie, an Armageddon game will determine the winner, ensuring a decisive outcome for every head-to-head encounter.
Tournament Format
Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: 7:00 PM AEDT | 8:00 AM UTC (local times are displayed on the platform)
Format: Single-elimination knockout tournament
Time Control: 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move (3+2)
Tie Breaker: Armageddon (5 minutes for White, 4 minutes for Black; if drawn, Black wins)
Games: Each match consists of 2 games per round, with players alternating colors
Summary
Total Qualified Players: 40
U2000 Division: 16 Players
U2300 Division: 12 Players
Open Division: 12 Players
All qualified players have been successfully contacted and issued pro passes. The tournament is now moving forward to the next stages of preparation.
Qualified Players
Below is the complete list of players who have qualified for the AO Regional Finals. Players are grouped by their respective divisions: U2000, U2300, and Open.
U2000 Division (16 Players)
IMpractical261558
🇦🇺 Australia
AO1 U2000
zhunei
🇯🇵 Japan
AO1 U2000
abbusundaram
🇮🇳 India
AO1 U2000
joselitosf03
🇵🇭 Philippines
AO1 U2000
Sundui
🇲🇳 Mongolia
AO2 U2000
Rizal16th
🇵🇭 Philippines
AO2 U2000
YunaShin
🇦🇺 Australia
AO2 U2000
Hooty
🇦🇺 Australia
AO2 U2000
borjigin
🇲🇳 Mongolia
AO3 U2000
kzslacker
🇦🇺 Australia
AO3 U2000
Rebecca2005
🇮🇳 India
AO3 U2000
leo
🇦🇺 Australia
AO3 U2000
Enchanteur
🇵🇭 Philippines
AO4 U2000
Antony
🇮🇳 India
AO4 U2000
Roshan
🇮🇳 India
AO4 U2000
tonyelpop
🇵🇭 Philippines
AO4 U2300
U2300 Division (13 Players)
Mergen
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan
AO5 U2300
TheOneChess
🇮🇳 India
AO5 U2300
Soderdene
🇲🇳Mongolia
AO3U2300
Melonhead
🇦🇺 Australia
AO5 U2300
AlexandraSamaganova
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
AO5 U2300
shahruh
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan
AO6 U2300
DoubleBarrel
🇮🇳 India
AO6 U2300
CamelPair
🇮🇳 India
AO3 U2300
CaXuyC
🇲🇳 Mongolia
AO8 U2300
cris12
🇵🇭 Philippines
AO6 U2300
Mykelpagz
🇵🇭 Philippines
AO8 U2300
Jerkielle
🇵🇭 Philippines
AO8 U2300
Naiman
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
AO8 U2300
Open Division (12 Players)
chessplayer2000
🇮🇳 India
AO9 Open
rnanjo
🇯🇵 Japan
AO9 Open
jrpadhi
🇮🇳 India
AO9 Open
Raslal
🇮🇳 India
AO9 Open
akkmla
🇮🇩 Indonesia
AO9 Open
ganeshparmar9696
🇮🇳 India
AO9 Open
harsha15
🇮🇳 India
AO9 Open
WhiteGOD6666
🇮🇳 India
AO9 Open
KARTAVYA31
🇮🇳 India
AO10 Open
kazanehime
🇵🇭 Philippines
AO11 Open
jiahaoxiang1990
🇨🇳 China
AO11 Open
khola0930
🇲🇳 Mongolia
AO12 Open
All players must complete your 30 blitz games, KYC and FIDE players must sync your FIDE ID as a condition of entry. You can action this now for free by clicking this link when logged into Checkmate Live.
Advancement and Prize Pool
Prizes
1st Place: Advances to the Grand Final, receives 50,000 Crowns
2nd Place: 25,000 Crowns + $500 in USDC
3rd & 4th Place: 15,000 Crowns + $250 in USDC each
5th to 8th Place: 9,999 Crowns + $150 in USDC each
9th to 16th Place: 5,000 Crowns + $25 in USDC each
Advancement to Grand Final
Regional Winner: The winner of the ASIA & OCEANIA Regional Final will advance to the Grand Final, competing against three other regional finalists from EAS, MENTA, and AM regions.
Grand Final Prize Pool: A share of USD $25,000, with travel costs covered by the Al Ain Chess and Mind Sports Club.
Bonus Prizes
Top 8 Players in Each Elo Band - U2000, U2300, Open
1st Place: 9,999 Crowns
2nd Place: 3,897 Crowns
3rd Place: 1,299 Crowns
4th Place: 1,000 Crowns
5th Place: 800 Crowns
6th Place: 600 Crowns
7th Place: 400 Crowns
8th Place: 200 Crowns
Top 3 Female Players in Each Region
1st Ranked: 9,999 Crowns
2nd Ranked: 3,897 Crowns
3rd Ranked: 1,299 Crowns
Prize Distribution
Payments: All prizes will be credited to players' registered Checkmate Live wallets at the tournament's conclusion.
Crowns and Pro Passes: Awarded to players ranked 1-3 and credited automatically to accounts at the conclusion of qualifiers. For players ranked 4-16, Crowns and Pro Passes are credited at the conclusion of the Fair Play window.
USDC Payments: Cash prizes in USDC are paid to each player’s registered digital wallet at the conclusion of the tournament and after the Fair Play window.
Grand Final Prize Pool: The USD $25,000 Grand Final Prize Pool is sponsored by the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club and will be awarded during the finals in the UAE.
Refer to the ruleset for further details about the prize distribution and Fair Play window.
Fair Play Integrity Checks
As part of the tournament’s commitment to fair play:
All Results Subject to Integrity Checks: Every result from the tournament will undergo thorough integrity checks to ensure compliance with fair play standards.
Replacement of Ineligible Players: Players failing the integrity checks will be replaced by the next eligible player based on:
Ranking in the Qualifier
Points and Performance
Ensuring Fair Opportunity:
KYC Completion: All players must complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
FIDE Players: Must synchronize their FIDE ID in settings to validate their official ratings.
All players must accept screen sharing, audio and webcam permissions when ebtering the lobby for the duration of the tournament
No Headphones: Players are prohibited from using headphones during matches to prevent any form of external assistance.
No Second Monitors: Using additional screens is not allowed to ensure players cannot receive external information.
No Third-Party Assistance: Players must compete independently without any external help.
Streaming Restrictions: Players are not allowed to stream their matches directly. However, you may arrange a third party to stream to your channel.
Strict Integrity Enforcement: There is no leeway on the day of the tournament. Players are competing for monetary prizes, and full integrity rules apply strictly.
The full integrity measures are outlined in our Fair play policy and and tournament requirements
Fair Play & Tournament Rules
Preparation:
Read the Tournament Info, Ruleset, and Fair Play Policy before joining.
Technical Requirements:
A PC and webcam are required to enter the player lobby.
Disqualification:
Players unable to log in on the day due to an unstable internet connection or not using a PC and webcam will be disqualified, as they will be unable to access the lobby.
Check-In:
Players must check in on time—the lobby system is fully automated.
Anti-Cheat System:
Every game is monitored by our AI anti-cheat system (Sixth-i).
Disconnections:
Players must reconnect before their time runs out or forfeit the game.
Fair Play Policy:
All players must adhere to the Fair Play Policy.
FIDE Verification:
FIDE members must verify and sync your FIDE ID in settings, or the anti-cheat will be triggered.
Finalists Briefing:
All players have the opportunity to ask questions at on December 4th.
Fair Play and Monitoring
The Fair Play process for The Road to Al Ain differs from Checkmate Live's standard process due to the mix of FIDE and non-FIDE tournament players.
In-Game Monitoring
Arbiter Supervision: Each game will be monitored by tournament arbiters to ensure compliance with fair play standards.
Arbiter Intervention: Arbiters have the authority to pause games, investigate irregularities, and make rulings on disputes as they arise.
All games will be recorded, computer vision will be running as well as Sixth-i
Your task manager must be open on your desktop
Fair Play Violations
Disqualification: If a player is found to have breached fair play rules, they will be disqualified, and the next-ranked player will advance.
Reporting: All breaches of the Fair Play provisions will be reported to the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club for review and record-keeping.
Post-Event Sanctions: If a violation is detected after the event, any necessary sanctions will still apply.
Post-Tournament Review
Game Review Date: All games will be reviewed on Tuesday, December 8th by our Fair play team.
Sixth-i Analysis: The Sixth-i Anti-Cheat System will flag any players suspected of cheating. These matches will be peer-reviewed by our Fair Play team.
Verification Matches: Players may be asked to play a match against our AI to verify their rating.
Incident Reporting: Players must report any Fair Play incidents within 2 hours of the tournament's conclusion. Reports should be submitted via the designated channel.
Comprehensive Review: These reports, along with arbiter reports, will be reviewed on December 8th.
Appeals
Notification: Players penalized will receive a notice.
Review Process: Appeals will be reviewed, and final decisions communicated to the player.
Consequences: If a player is determined to have breached the tournament rules or Fair Play Policy, they will be disqualified, and the standard Fair Play Policy shall apply. Any prizes allocated during the tournament will be forfeited.
Prize Allocation: The allocated prizes in the tournament shall remain the same for all other players, with the exception of the player who advances to the regional final.
Support & Resources
Player support is available via chat—refer to our Help Center for further details.
We value your feedback! The player lobby and tournament page will be updated after this tournament. We welcome your suggestions on how we can improve our player support and processes as we continue to develop during our Alpha phase.
About Crowns
Checkmate's Premium Currency: Earned in-game or purchased.
Uses:
Purchase exclusive items in the shop.
Enter tournaments.
Acquire your Arcade and Pro Pass.
2D/3D avatars and cosmetics to personalize your experience.
Arcade and Pro Passes to enter future events.
Upcoming Features for 2025:
Tournaments for five key divisions, ensuring structured matchups.
Pro Pass events with regular USDC prize pools.
Loot trading in Arcade Mode with its own competitive calendar.
Rated tournaments hosted by the Asian Chess Federation through their eChess Initiative, offering official ratings and additional prize opportunities.
About USDC
USDC (USD Coin) is a digital stablecoin pegged to the U.S. Dollar. Each USDC is backed by one U.S. Dollar held in reserve, ensuring price stability. Prizes awarded in USDC will be transferred to your registered wallet, allowing for secure and instant transactions.
Additional Event Highlights
Checkmate Live Video Feature: Players compete face-to-face online with every game broadcasted live, enhancing the competitive atmosphere and allowing spectators to engage with the matches in real-time, witnessing every move and reaction.
Join Us for an Exciting Chess Experience!
Don't miss this opportunity to compete at the highest level, showcase your skills, and potentially advance to the Grand Final in the UAE. Whether you're a seasoned player or a passionate fan, The Road to Al Ain eChess Championship promises thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.
Thank you once again for being a part of this exciting journey!
Important Notice
Players who are unable to log in on the day due to an unstable internet connection or are not using a PC and webcam will be disqualified, as they will be unable to access the lobby.
Please ensure all technical requirements are met to participate successfully in the tournament.
Regional Finals Time Table
For detailed scheduling and time zones, please refer to the Regional Finals Time Table.
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