The History of Chess in the Maldives: A Journey of Struggles, Triumphs, and Controversies
Chess, one of the most revered strategic board games globally, has a relatively nascent history in the Maldives. Despite the country’s rich cultural heritage and the global popularity of the game, chess in the Maldives remained weak for decades, with no formalized culture or structure to support it. The journey of Maldivian chess is one of humble beginnings, struggle, and eventual institutionalization, but also fraught with controversies and setbacks along the way.
The Early Days: A Game with No Culture
In the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, the Maldives had no established chess culture. The game was played on an informal basis, with little or no recognition in public or sporting arenas. While Maldivians had access to chess boards, the game wasn’t a part of the mainstream sports landscape. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that chess started to gain traction, mainly due to the efforts of a few passionate enthusiasts.
A key figure during this period was Ibrahim Abdullah, affectionately known as Shabey. He was one of the most prominent chess players in the Maldives and dominated local chess tournaments. Shabey’s victories and his personal dedication helped raise the profile of the game, but despite his achievements, chess remained a niche activity with limited interest and structure. Shabey’s consistent wins in local events made him a household name in Maldivian chess, but without a formal chess federation or any rated players, the Maldives’ chess scene lacked the organizational framework to thrive.
The Formation of the Maldives Chess Federation(2007)
The turning point for Maldivian chess came in 2007, when the Maldives Chess Federation was established. This was the first official step toward transforming chess into a more organized and structured sport within the country. Prior to this, tournaments were occasionally organized by government institutions and chess enthusiasts, but there was no consistency or official recognition for players. Chess events had prize money, but the stakes were often low, and the tournaments were largely symbolic.
In the early years after the formation of the federation, things began to take a more formal shape. A notable event during this time was a rated tournament organized with the help of three Indian chess players, all of whom were already established as rated competitors. This tournament, aimed at introducing official ratings for Maldivian players, marked a significant milestone in the history of Maldivian chess.
Among the participants, CM Abdul Rahman Ali emerged as the highest-rated player, achieving an impressive provisional 1956 FIDE rating. At that time, this was a monumental accomplishment for a Maldivian chess player and still holds the record as the second-highest FIDE rating ever achieved by a player from the Maldives. However, despite his remarkable rating, all other Maldivian players were defeated by the Indian players, highlighting the gap in skill between local and international players. Later, FM Muhammed Shuaau would surpass this achievement, becoming the highest-rated Maldivian chess player with a rating of 2179, a record that still stands today.
The Rise and Fall of Key Figures: Nooh Ali and Hussain Shiyan
The formation of the federation was pivotal, but its early years were not without turmoil. The first major tournament, worth 60,000 MVR with a top prize of 15,000 MVR, was organized as part of the effort to establish the federation. This event was initiated by Nooh Ali, one of the founding members of what would later become the Maldives Chess Federation. Alongside Nooh, other notable figures such as Abdul Rahman Ali, Hussain Shiyan, Ahmed Ashraf, Hussain Ali, and Ahmed Fuad played vital roles in laying the foundation for organized chess in the Maldives.
Initially, the executive committee of the federation operated with focus and enthusiasm, with Nooh Ali appointed as the first president. However, as time went on, concerns began to emerge about the governance of the organization. Nooh appointed his sister to the executive committee, and the lack of transparency in decision-making raised questions among the chess community. Although the federation was receiving funding from international sources, there was little clarity on how those funds were being managed, leading to growing unease about the federation’s direction.
The prize structure also reflected the federation’s changing priorities. The 15,000 MVR first prize, offered before the federation was officially formed, had served as a strong motivator for competitive play. After the establishment of the federation under Nooh Ali’s leadership, however, the first prize was fixed at 3,000 MVR , a steep decline that many saw as discouraging for players. When Hussain Shiyan later took over as president, he initially restored the first prize to 15,000 MVR during the first National Championship under his term. Yet, in the following championships, the amount was again reduced to 10,000 MVR.
By 2018, dissatisfaction with Nooh Ali’s leadership and the federation’s internal issues reached a tipping point. Concerns over governance and transparency led several members of the chess community to submit a petition to the government and FIDE, which ultimately resulted in the federation being placed under official monitoring.
Following this intervention, a vote was held among top players, offering two choices: Nooh Ali or Hussain Shiyan. Although neither option was widely viewed as ideal, Shiyan won the election and assumed leadership of the organization.
As part of the transition, the federation was formally renamed to the Maldives Chess Association (MCA). Alongside the rebranding, new internal rules and a revised constitution were introduced. One of the most significant changes was the removal of voting rights for individual players, a move justified by some as a way to streamline governance, but criticized by others as a setback for democratic involvement within the chess community.
Shiyan’s Leadership: A Period of Growth with Minimal Impact
Under Hussain Shiyan’s leadership, the federation appeared to benefit financially, reportedly generating millions of rufiyaa annually. However, many within the chess community felt that this influx of funding did not translate into significant improvements for the local chess scene. Tournaments remained limited in number, and concerns about transparency and accountability were frequently raised. Questions about the use of federation funds became common talking points among players and stakeholders.
Toward the end of his term, Shiyan faced growing criticism from players and community members, who expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of tournament management and decision-making. Some described the leadership style during this period as increasingly centralized, especially after voting rights for individual players were removed, a move that sparked debate over governance and inclusivity within the federation.
The Return of Nooh Ali (2025): A Step Backward for Maldivian Chess?
In 2025, with no other candidates stepping forward, Nooh Ali was re-elected as president of the Maldives Chess Association. For many in the community, this development was seen as a disappointing step backward, not necessarily because of Nooh’s individual return, but because it reflected a deeper issue: the lack of new, qualified leadership willing or able to take charge of the sport. His reappointment raised fresh concerns about the federation’s direction and long-term vision for developing chess in the country.
A core issue facing Maldivian chess today is that it is still in its infancy as a competitive sport. The first generation of truly accomplished players including CM Abdul Rahman Ali, CM Mohamed Hassan, and FM Ahmed Ashraf are still active and among the top players in the country. Given their experience and status, many believe they are ideally positioned to lead the association, drive growth, and implement much-needed transparency and accountability.
Unfortunately, little progress has been made in nurturing the next generation. In nearly two decades, only about two new players have reached the same competitive level as the early pioneers. Critics argue this is largely due to the lack of effective development programs and sustained support from the Maldives Chess Association (MCA).
While a foreign coach was brought in during the final years of Shiyan’s leadership, the initiative was short-lived. The coach was reportedly sent back in under six months, following resistance from some local coaches who felt the move negatively impacted their own private coaching businesses. According to some community members, Nooh Ali appeared keen to accommodate these local coaches, whose support was seen as important due to their involvement in federation activities, many of them also served as arbiters or operated chess clubs, giving them influence in how events were run and decisions were made.
Notably, several of these coaches reportedly held FIDE ratings below 1700, a level many in the chess community consider insufficient for high-level coaching or national development roles. This raised further concerns about conflicts of interest, and whether the decisions being made were in the best long-term interest of Maldivian chess.
This situation has left many in the chess community disheartened, as the country continues to fall short of its potential. The hope remains that the experienced players, who once broke barriers to put Maldivian chess on the map will step forward not only as competitors but as leaders, to help build a stronger, fairer, and more transparent future for the sport.
The decision to strip individual players of their voting rights, implemented during Shiyan’s tenure, was also seen as a major setback for the game in the Maldives. The focus on personal interests over the development of chess continued to hinder the sport’s potential, with very little being done to nurture talent or improve the competitive environment.
At present, the Maldives Chess Federation is controlled by a small group of individuals, many of whom have not made significant contributions to the sport. This has led to a stagnation in the local chess scene, with only the minimum necessary tournaments being organized. Chess, once a promising sport with great potential, now finds itself at a crossroads.
Conclusion: A Turbulent Journey Ahead
The history of chess in the Maldives has been a rollercoaster of ambition, struggles, and management issues. From humble beginnings and limited success in the late 20th century to the institutionalization of the Maldives Chess Federation in 2007, chess has seen some important milestones. However, the lack of proper leadership, transparency, and a clear vision for growth has held the sport back.
As the federation continues to struggle with its internal issues, it remains to be seen whether chess can ever evolve beyond its current state in the Maldives. Until then, the future of Maldivian chess seems uncertain, and its journey may continue to be shaped by the actions of a few individuals rather than the collective vision of the chess community.