American Chess Prodigy Brewington Hardaway Makes History in Abu Dhabi
- Publish date: Saturday، 23 August 2025 Reading time: two min read
Sixteen-year-old Brewington Hardaway makes history as the first African-American chess grandmaster with major tournament win.
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Sixteen-year-old Brewington Hardaway, the first African-American chess grandmaster, has made history by winning the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
Hardaway dominated the Open category, finishing undefeated with nine wins and two draws across 11 rounds. His triumph came against more than 700 players from 52 countries in the blitz event alone, cementing his reputation as one of the brightest young stars in global chess.
As the youngest African-American ever to achieve grandmaster status, Hardaway’s latest milestone has been hailed as a landmark moment for both U.S. chess and the international community.
Israeli International Master Benny Aizenberg staged a remarkable climb from 44th place to secure second overall, defeating several established grandmasters from China and Armenia along the way.
The tournament was not without controversy. Fourteen-year-old Iranian grandmaster Sina Mohaved forfeited his match against Aizenberg, a move reflecting Iran’s longstanding sports policy of boycotting Israeli competitors.
The women’s division saw Filipino Women Grand Master Mae Frayna clinch the title with an undefeated run, drawing only twice in nine rounds. Meanwhile, the Under-16 category produced dramatic results: Iranian Fide Master Barad Yeganegi surged from eighth to first place, finishing tied on points with compatriot Radin Yadegar after gaining 103 rating points. Romanian prodigy Edward Tudor secured third despite an upset loss to Uzbek player Bezkod Jamvaev.
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Chess Festival broke records with 3,000 participants across 27 tournaments from 84 countries, surpassing many established global competitions. Organisers praised the event for showcasing the incredible diversity of chess talent, from young prodigies to elite grandmasters.