Tuesday, 3 December 2024

Treated like gold...

Jessica Greeff receiving her award.

Jessica Eleez Greeff (Captain of MSSA's Female Protea CounterStrike GO Esports Team) attended the GAL2024 hosted by GSport on 2 December 2024.

The Top 10 Newsmakers of 2024 were announced, including Jessica.

Jessica gained her fame leading MSSA's Female Protea CounterStrike GO Esports Team to victory at IESF's African Esports Championships (SEC) in Casablanca, Morocco in August in 2024. This is the first time that South Africa has won such event. Jessica then lead MSSA's Female Protea CounterStrike GO Esports Team to IESF's 16th World Championships (WEC24) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where the team performed admirably.

As Jessica stated, "GAL24 was such a beautiful event where my team's hard work was recognised and appreciated".  Jessica went on to say, "GSport have treated me like gold, showing nothing but support for now and for my future"

MSSA President, Colin Webster stated, "I expect nothing less from GSport and its sponsors as their work in supporting females is truly admirable".

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National Colours may be earned at 2024 SA National Online Championships to be held on 7 December 2024.

The National Honours Badge, as shown above, is awarded to Players who have earned National Colours at least three times. Barry Louzada of Mettlestate is one such recipient.

Athletes willing to earn National Colours may do so at MSSA's 2024 SA National Online Championships to be held on 7 December 2024.

To earn National Colours, Players must win all of their Matches.

The benefits of doing so, means that the athlete who has so earned such colours are included into the National Squad.

Should a player in the National Protea Team not be able to meet their commitments, MSSA is permitted to then draft players who have earned National Colours into the Protea Team.

Of course to be called up for service into the Protea Team, the athlete has to have a South African passport.

Titles being played at MSSA's 2024 SA National Online Championships to be held on 7 December 2024 are:

Period/genreTitlePlatformAge restrictionPlayers
Shooter
CODMMobile184 v 4
CS GOPC165 v 5
PUBGMMobile184 v 4
Sport
FIFA '24PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play121 v 1
eFootball 2024 (Konami)PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC and Console121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC and Console123 v 3
MOBA
DotA 2PC125 v 5
Clash RoyaleMobile121 v 1
League of LegendsPC125 v 5
Clash of ClansMobile121 v1
Mobile Legends Bang BangMobile125 v 5
Fighting
Tekken 8PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play161 v 1
Street Fighter 6PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play121 v 1

Players are to acquaint themselves with the rules apropos substitutes and loadshedding.

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Monday, 2 December 2024

There is still time to register for an echess tourney with a total prize pool of $60,000 USD



Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence: Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club Presents The Echess Championship - The Road to Al Ain, Powered by Checkmate Live

Al Ain, UAE, [Date] – Marking its 25th anniversary, the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club proudly announces The Echess Championship: The Road to Al Ain, powered by Checkmate Live. This landmark tournament invites online chess enthusiasts and competitors worldwide to participate. Open to players of all levels, both rated and unrated, the championship includes regional qualifiers across multiple skill levels. The competition will reach its pinnacle in the prestigious Grand Final held in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, on December 22, 2024.

About the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club

Founded in 1999 and led by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Sultan bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan—President of the Asian Chess Federation and the Emirati Esports Federation—the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club has become a cornerstone of international chess, renowned for its achievements and contributions to the global chess community. Recognized for its commitment to excellence and competitive integrity, the club has fostered a vibrant chess culture in the UAE and beyond, culminating in notable victories, including winning the 2024 FIDE World Rapid Team Championship. This legacy underscores the club's standing as a leading institution in international chess and highlights its dedication to advancing the game on a global scale.

As the club marks its 25th anniversary, it invites partners and players from around the world to join in an epic celebration alongside the Asian Amateur Chess Championship 2024. This celebration will be highlighted by an epic echess knockout tournament on Checkmate Live’s platform, styled after the high-energy, immersive format of esports competitions. The live final in Al Ain, UAE, on December 22, 2024, will showcase top talent in a dramatic showdown. The Grand Final will be held at the official venue, Danat Al Ain Resort. The club’s strategic partnership with Checkmate Live, a next-gen online broadcast and tournament platform, reinforces its vision for the future and underscores its dedication to advancing competitive chess and mind sports on a global scale.

The Road to Al Ain: A Global Chess Journey

The Road to Al Ain invites players from across the globe to participate in a series of online qualifiers beginning on November 23, 2024, with skill-level divisions for Under 2000, Under 2300, and Open categories. Open to both rated and unrated players, these qualifiers will lead to the four Regional Finals, scheduled for December 7-8, 2024. Top contenders will advance to the Grand Final on December 22, 2024, in Al Ain.

Key tournament highlights include:

Global Inclusion: Open to both rated and unrated players, with divisions for Under 2000, Under 2300, and Open categories.

Redemption Games: Players who do not qualify in their designated Elo division will have multiple opportunities to participate. If a player doesn’t qualify in their first attempt, they can enter additional qualifiers within their division or compete in higher Elo categories, creating thrilling opportunities for unexpected victories and upsets as competitors from all levels strive to advance.

Bonus Rewards: Special prizes and rewards for female players, newcomers, and sportsmanship honorees.

Continental Representation: Regional qualifiers hosted across four major time zones, each with four qualifiers per Elo division:

AO: Asia and Oceania

EAS: Europe and Southern Africa

MENTA: Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey

AM: Americas

Generous Prizes: A total prize pool of $60,000 USD, including $35,000 in distributed prizes (USDC and in-game currency) throughout the tournament stages from Checkmate Live, with an additional $25,000 USD for the four-player Double Elimination Grand Final in Al Ain.

Travel costs covered: Al Ain CMG  is providing flights, five-star accommodation, and meals in Al Ain for all Grand Final participants.

Flexible Timing: Qualifiers are scheduled based on each player’s registered country to accommodate various time zones, ensuring global participation at convenient times.

Travel and Accommodation: Finalists advancing to Al Ain will receive complimentary flights and accommodations, with the tournament's Grand Final hosted at the luxurious Danat Al Ain Resort.

Tournament Schedule and Structure

Key Dates

Weekend Qualifiers: November 23-24 and November 30 - December 1, 2024

Regional Finals: December 7-8, 2024 (four regional finals across major time zones)

The Road to Al Ain Grand Final: December 22, 2024, Danat Al Ain Resort, Al Ain

Stage 1 - Online Qualifiers

The Online Qualifiers will consist of a 3+2 Blitz Swiss-format tournament (9 rounds) designed to advance top players from each division to the Regional Finals. The structure is as follows:

Under 2000 Division: Four qualification tournaments will be held, with the top four players from each tournament advancing to the Regional Finals.

Under 2300 Division: Four qualification tournaments will be held, with the top four players from each tournament advancing to the Regional Finals.

Open Division: Four qualification tournaments will be held, with the top eight players from each tournament advancing to the Regional Finals.

Stage 2 - Four Regional Finals

Each zone—AO (Asia and Oceania), EAS (Europe and Southern Africa), MENTA (Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey), and AM (Americas)—will host a 3+2 Blitz single-elimination head-to-head KO tournament. In each zone, a total of 64 players (16 from the Under 2000, 16 from the Under 2300, and 32 from the Open division) will compete, with the top player from each region ultimately advancing to the Grand Final.

Each matchup will consist of two games. In the event of a tie, an Armageddon game will determine the winner, ensuring a decisive outcome for each head-to-head encounter.

Stage 3 - Grand Final

The four regional champions will compete in a Double Elimination Knockout format to crown the tournament champion in Al Ain. These finalists will battle head-to-head for the title and a share of the additional $25,000 USD prize pool.

Grand Final Details

The Grand Final on December 22 will showcase a fast-paced double-elimination showdown among the four regional champions at the Danat Al Ain Resort. Participants will contend for significant cash prizes while experiencing the cultural richness of Al Ain, one of the UAE’s oldest and most cherished cities.

Registration Details

Registration opens on November 15, 2024. Players interested in competing can register at Checkmate.live. Don’t miss the chance to join this landmark event and experience the thrill of high-stakes competitive chess.

An Invitation to Chess Enthusiasts Everywhere

"The Road to Al Ain" is a celebration of unity, excellence, and global camaraderie. Whether you’re a seasoned grandmaster or a passionate amateur, this tournament offers a unique opportunity to be part of a legacy event. Registration is now open, and we invite all chess enthusiasts to embark on this journey to the Super Grand Final in Al Ain.

The Road to Al Ain: Your Destination for Competitive Chess Awaits!

Website: https://www.checkmate.live

Tournament information: https://www.checkmate.live/insights-and-updates

Ruleset: https://playbook.checkmate.live/echess-rulesets/the-road-to-al-ain

Contact:

Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club

Hesham Ali Al Taher

CEO, Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club

Secretary General of the Asian Chess Federation

asianchessfederation@yahoo.com


David Jenns MA LLM FRGS

Director International Relations

+971506180752

david@whitewolfconsultancy.com

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WEC24: PUBG MOBILE Tournament Concludes with Outstanding Success


The PUBG MOBILE tournament at WEC24 has officially wrapped up, delivering three days of competition that exceeded all expectations. With 10 out of 16 teams securing Chicken Dinners throughout the tournament, every map brought its own excitement, with the final rounds determining the champions and medal placements. We saw impressive viewership numbers with 776,454 unique viewers achieving 89,675 hours watched throughout the three days of competition.

On the competitive front, the Indonesian team set a WEC24 record by securing a Chicken Dinner with an astonishing 18 eliminations, packing a remarkable 28-point round. 

Turkey stepped up to claim the title of WEC24 PUBG MOBILE Champions, delivering a fierce, precise performance and seizing the trophy in the final maps, a true champions’ style victory.

Congratulations are also due to Ukraine, who came very close to securing the gold. Consistent and determined to win, they kept fans and their nation on edge until the final rounds, ultimately securing the silver medal. Brazil took home the bronze, showcasing exceptional talent and positioning themselves as strong contenders for future titles.

Igor Nedeski, Esports Manager at IESF, praised the athletes, the tournament’s success, and the ongoing collaboration with Tencent: "The PUBG MOBILE tournaments have been one of the highlights of WEC for years now, and our ongoing collaboration and support from Tencent has played a huge role in its success. Congratulations to the medalists and to all athletes participating for their remarkable WEC24 performance."

Micah Li, Senior Esports Manager at Tencent,  "Congratulations to Turkey on becoming the WEC24 PUBG MOBILE Champions. We greatly value our partnership with IESF and the success we have achieved together over the years. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and delivering many more exceptional PUBG MOBILE tournaments in the future."

With the PUBG MOBILE tournament concluded, IESF looks forward to further PUBG MOBILE competitions, as national teams from around the world improve year byAbout PUBG MOBILE:

About PUBG MOBILE:

PUBG MOBILE is based on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the phenomenon that took the world of interactive entertainment by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to battle in a winner-takes-all showdown. Players must locate and scavenge their own weapons, vehicles and supplies, and defeat every player in a visually and tactically rich battleground that forces players into a shrinking play zone. PUBG MOBILE is co-developed by LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS of Tencent Games and KRAFTON, Inc.

About the International Esports Federation

IESF is the uniting body for World Esports. Founded in 2008 by nine member nations, IESF comprises 146 Member Federations across six continents. IESF brings together all esports stakeholders to achieve a united ecosystem for the development of sustainable and responsible gaming worldwide. The IESF World Esports Championships (WEC) is the biggest multi-sport spectacle of esports in the world. IESF also organizes the annual World Esports Summit to support the highest standard of esports governance worldwide.

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