This year I got qualified to represent USA at the 2013 World Youth Chess Championship (WYCC2013) in Al-Ain, UAE. In December 2013, I payed in the Open Section (Under 12) category. This is the second time I am playing at the world tournament.
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| Arrived at Moscow Airport (On the way to Dubai) |
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Our journey was from MSP-JFK-SVO-DXB. SVO is Moscow, DXB is Dubai, JFK is New York, and MSP is Minneapolis. The airport was really nice. We stayed for 90 minutes.
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| With Joshua at Dubai Mall |
This part had all of the Burj Khalifa souvenirs. Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world (taller than 800 meters).
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| At the Dusit Thani Hotel roof top watching Burj Khalifa |
There is Burj Khalifa.
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| With Dad and Joshua |
At Dubai Mall on the 1st or 2nd floor (G is the floor you enter. G stands for ground.)
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| At Burj Khalifa entrance in Dubai Mall |
Not the real one.
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| View of Dubai from top of the Burj Khalifa Building |
The architecture is really cool.
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| With Joshua at the Observation Deck of Burj Khalifa |
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| With Mom at Dubai Mall Aquarium |
The aquarium is free if anyone wants to go to Dubai Mall.
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| With Mom and Joshua at Dubai Mall Aquarium |
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| At Dubai Mall Water Fountain Area |
There was a fountain show. It was really cool. Like the one in Las Vegas. You can probably find it on youtube if you want.
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| At the roof top of Dusit Thani Hotel |
We stayed in Dubai for a few days before going to Al Ain. The hotel was great with great service.
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| Enjoying the Water Fountain in Dubai Mall |
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| Arrived at the University Hostel, Al-Ain |
I was also taking pictures on my iPad. The cafeteria is right behind me.
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| Enjoying the wonderful University Hostel, Al-Ain |
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| Enjoying the wonderful University Hostel, Al-Ain |
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| Local UAE boys performing their traditional dance |
It is really hard. Grown men do it with a gun.
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| Watching the UAE boys' performance |
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| With Sonal attending the Inauguration function |
Sonal is from Minnesota too.
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| UAE Men performing their traditional dance during Inauguration |
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| GM A.R.Saleh Salem & GM Evgenij Miroshnichenko playing Simul on 4 boards. |
Blitz simul. Salem is from UAE and Miroshnichenko is from Ukraine.
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| GM A.R.Saleh Salem & GM Evgenij Miroshnichenko playing Simul on 4 boards. |
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| Performance by UAE dancers |
Opening ceremony.
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| At the Welcome Center at the University Hostel, Al-Ain |
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| Going to the Playing Hall with Dad |
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| At the board (Round 1) playing a boy from China |
Xing Jiacheng vs Titus Andrew 1/2-1/2
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| At the board (Round 1) playing a boy from China |
A bird was trapped in the room later on in the tournament.
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| At the board (Round 2) playing another boy from China |
UAE provided name tags.
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| With Noha and Maria (Hostel Hostess) |
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| On the break day playing Bughouse with friends |
Titus/Vaidya vs Feng/Lu
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| On the break day playing foosball with Chess friends and Adam (Friend from Palestine) |
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| On the break day playing foosball with Chess friends and Adam (Friend from Palestine) |
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| On the break day playing foosball |
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| With Sonal getting ready to go to Dubai on the break day |
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| Arrived at the Sharjah Chess Club (Biggest Chess Club in the world) on the break day |
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| At the Sharjah Chess Club |
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| At the Sharjah Chess Club with Sonal |
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| At the Sharjah Chess Club with Sonal |
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| At the Sharjah Chess Club with Sonal |
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| Enjoying the McDonalds food in Sharjah, UAE |
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| With Sonal at the Dubai Mall Aquarium |
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| At the Dubai Mall |
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| At the Dubai Mall |
Burj Al Arab is right behind me. Another tall building.
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| At the Dubai Mall (In front of Burj Khalifa) |
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| Getting ready for Round 6 |
SmartChess. Find it on the App Store.
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| Jerry Nash teaching Chess to the wonderful ladies at the hostel |
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| With Nastassja after the last game |
Another young player from Minnesota.
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| With Nastassja after the last game |
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| USA Players Group Picture |
Raise your hand if you are not here.
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| Gary Kasparov arriving at the USA Hostel |
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| Gary Kasparov with the USA team |
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| Gary Kasparov with the USA team |
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| Group Picture with USA team players and Coaches |
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| USA Player's hostel |
It was a great place and a great experience. Hopefully, I will be able to go back to Al Ain someday, but they won't allow me in the same A5 hostel (Ladies Hostel).
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