Tournament Review: Qatar Masters 2024

Chess Tourist #4

This was the 4th edition of the Qatar Masters 2024, and it marked the conclusion of my classical tournaments for this year. Renowned as one of the strongest open chess tournaments, this year's event witnessed the participation of many top-tier players, including four 2700+ rated grandmasters: Arjun Erigaisi, Abdusattorov Nodirbek, Maghsoodloo Parham, and Artemiev Vladislav. Ultimately, GM Esipenko emerged as the champion of the Qatar Masters 2024. I had the privilege of participating in the 2023 edition as well, where we were treated to a stellar lineup that included Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Anish Giri, and Gukesh D.

Organization

The tournament was held at the Aspire Sports Complex Arena from the 3rd to the 12th of December 2024, with a single round played each day and a rest day following the fifth round. The entry fee for most non-grandmaster players was $150. The organizers designated two official hotels: Torch Doha and Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel by Torch. Staying at one of these hotels was mandatory. I opted for Torch Doha, sharing a room with my friend, IM Moksh Doshi. The cost was $110 per person, inclusive of three meals and three pieces of laundry per day. While I'm certain that the top grandmasters received special accommodations, I've heard that some of them also benefited from discounted stays. I do have a suggestion for the organizers:

• Budget Hotels: Consider offering more budget-friendly hotel options, perhaps similar to Ibis hotels, with rates ranging from $40 to $75. This would be ideal for players who prefer to explore local cuisine and culture, as meals are often quite expensive at the official hotels. A room-with-breakfast option would be particularly appealing.

About the Hotel

As a 5-star luxury hotel, Torch Doha exceeded expectations. The rooms, staff, and overall service were impeccable. While the vegetarian food options were somewhat limited, they were still manageable.

About Doha

Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to explore the city. I recommend allocating 1-2 days post-tournament to immerse oneself in Doha's attractions. The organizers did arrange a tour on the rest day, which included a visit to the Souq Waqif old city market and a cruise. The Middle Eastern countries offer a safe and welcoming environment for travelers. I've also participated in the previous year's Qatar Masters, where the hotel was conveniently located in the heart of the city.

Ratings

• Organization: 10/10
• Hotel: 10/10
• Food: 8/10 (While the food was good, the limited vegetarian and Indian food options were a minor drawback, especially considering the significant Indian player presence)
• Safety: 10/10

Expense Breakdown

• Registration Fees: $150 / 13000 INR
• Stay: $1100 / 95000 INR
• Flights: $565 / 48000 INR
• Taxi (Home - Airport - Hotel): $35 / 3000 INR
• Other Expenses: $60 / 5000 INR

Total - $1910 / INR 1,64,000

My Performance

Unfortunately, I lost some points in this event. However, I've decided not to include any details about my performance in this article. This post is intended to provide information about the tournament and I don't want to focus on my personal results. Perhaps if I receive enough comments, I might write a separate article about my performance.

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