At just 14, Roudha Al Serkal has already carved out a place among the UAE’s top chess players. The Emirati talent is currently ranked second nationally in the women’s category, a milestone that reflects years of discipline, early sacrifice, and sustained excellence.
A Passion That Started at Four
Roudha’s journey began at the age of four. She repeatedly asked her mother to enroll her in a local chess club. What seemed like a childhood curiosity quickly revealed something deeper.
Within three months of joining, she won a bronze medal at the UAE National Championship. For a child barely out of preschool, it was an early sign of unusual focus and competitive instinct.
Early Titles, Global Stage
At just five years old, she captured the Asian Championship Under-6 title, announcing her arrival on the continental stage with confidence.
From there, her momentum only grew stronger. At eight, she won the UAE Under-20 Championship, competing against much older players. In 2017, she claimed the World Cadets Championship Under-8 title, and a year later, she secured the World Schools Under-9 crown, further cementing her reputation as a rising global talent.
As she entered her teenage years, her list of achievements continued to expand. She earned bronze in the Asian Youth Under-14 category, triumphed at the Jeddah Open Tournament, and added major titles to her name, including West Asian Champion and World Champion in the Solving Puzzles Category C.
With each milestone, she strengthened her presence across regional and international circuits, building a career defined by consistency, resilience, and competitive excellence.
The Support System Behind the Success
Roudha credits much of her progress to her family, above all, her mother, who has attended every tournament for seven consecutive years. With that constant support, she has been able to compete with confidence and focus.
At the same time, her coaches and the Abu Dhabi Chess Club have played a central role by providing structured training and regular exposure to high-level competition. Through this guidance, she has steadily sharpened her strategy and discipline.
Ultimately, behind every young champion stands a strong support system that reinforces consistency and belief, and Roudha’s environment has done exactly that.
Balancing School and Strategy
As competition levels intensified, balancing academics and chess became more demanding.
Roudha manages tournaments, travel, and schoolwork through strict time management. She often catches up on lessons while competing abroad and relies on family support to maintain academic performance.
Despite the intensity of competitive chess, she maintains interests outside the board. Drawing, piano, baking, and writing short stories give her creative balance.
Aiming Higher
Now ranked second among national women players, Roudha continues to push forward. Her objective is clear. Improve her ranking, compete at higher levels, and represent the UAE with distinction.
At 14, she has already achieved what many players pursue for decades. Yet her trajectory suggests that her strongest moves may still lie ahead.
Photos: Supplied
