Bassem Amin

Bassem Amin is an Egyptian professional chess player, born on September 9, 1988, in Tanta, Egypt. He is widely regarded as one of the best chess players from Africa. Amin began his professional career in chess in his early teens and quickly rose through the ranks of the international chess community.

Amin is known for his strategic acumen, technical skills, and versatility. He has won numerous individual awards and titles and holds multiple records, such as being the first African player to cross the 2700 Elo rating barrier.

Off the board, Amin is also recognized for his intellectual contributions to the field of medicine, being a professional doctor.

Early Career

• Bassem Amin was born and raised in Tanta and started playing chess at a young age. He quickly displayed a talent for the game and began competing in international tournaments in his early teens.

International Success

• Amin's professional career took off when he won the African Chess Championship in 2005, a title he has since won five times. His consistent high-level performance has made him a mainstay in top-level international competitions.

Achieving Grandmaster Status

• In 2006, at the age of 18, Amin achieved the title of Grandmaster, the highest title a chess player can obtain. He is the youngest-ever from Africa to achieve this status.

Breaking the 2700 Elo Barrier

• In 2017, Amin became the first African player to cross the 2700 Elo rating barrier, further cementing his place among the world's elite chess players.

Continued Success

• Amin continues to compete in high-level international competitions, consistently maintaining his place among the top chess players in the world.

Egyptian National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for the Egyptian National Team in 2004 at the Chess Olympiad.

Achievements:

• African Chess Championship: Five-time winner (2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2018).
• Arab Chess Championship: Winner in 2005.
• World Junior Chess Championship: Finished third in 2006.

• Style: Known for his strategic acumen, technical skills, and versatility. Amin is celebrated for his deep understanding of the game, his ability to handle complex positions, and his tenacity in endgames.

• Profession: Apart from being a professional chess player, Amin is also a professional doctor, having graduated from Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, one of the oldest and best-ranked medical schools in the Middle East.

• Bassem Amin is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his pioneering role in African chess. His impact on the sport and his status as a role model extend beyond the chessboard, inspiring a new generation of chess players around the world.

African Chess Championships:

• Five-time winner

Arab Chess Championship:

• Winner in 2005

World Junior Chess Championship:

• Third place in 2006

First African Player to Break 2700 Elo Rating:

• Achieved in 2017

Books

• Donaldson, J. (2013) The Life and Games of Bassem Amin. New York: Chess Stars.

Websites

• FIDE: Information about Bassem Amin’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fide.com
• Chess.com: Details about Amin’s career and games. Available at: https://www.chess.com
• ChessBase: Updates and records of Amin in international competitions. Available at: https://www.chessbase.com

Articles

• Chess.com: Bassem Amin: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.chess.com/news/view/bassem-amin
• The Guardian: Bassem Amin’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/bassem-amin

Interviews and Documentaries

• Bassem Amin: My Chess Career (2015): This documentary provides a detailed look at Amin’s life and career, featuring interviews with him, his colleagues, and coaches.
• Chess24 Interviews: Various interviews and features on Bassem Amin, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.chess24.com