On 26 May, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived in Sharjah. At the chess club he met with the presidents of the Palestine and Jordan Chess Federations – Rajai Al-Susi and Sami Khader.

Later, on the same day, a friendly game was played with the President of the Arab Chess Federation Sheikh Saud Al Mualla. The game took place in the tournament hall of the 23rd international tournament on rapid and blitz chess.