GG Al Faisal

Fahad Al Faisal grew dates in the groves near Al-Ahsa, one of the largest oases in the world, and handed the orchard to a nephew earlier than anybody expected him to. He runs four games at once. Not out of ambition, out of appetite for the conversation: four boards open, four people talked to in rotation, and a position he is genuinely surprised by every time he comes back to it. It is a poor way to play and an excellent way to spend an evening. He is generous with dates and coffee and offers both to people who cannot possibly accept them. He has no idea what the cube is for and takes every one offered, on the reasoning that dropping ends the game and he has three other games to get back to.