International Rated Chess event in November

KARACHI: Pakistan Chess Players Association (PCPA) is planning to hold an International Rated Chess Championship here in the city in November.

This was decided in an Executive Council Meeting of PCPA held here the other day. PCPA will conduct the championship with the active support of Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP), Tariq Rasheed Khan announced on Tuesday.

Dr. Naeem Hamid Mirza, Secretary General Chess Federation of Pakistan welcomed this event and assured fullest support to MSAP.

A couple of Grand Masters and a number of International Masters will also be invited to feature in the biggest ever international chess event in Pakistan to boost the game in the country MSAP Director said.

International Master Shahzad Mirza, who is also the Secretary General of PCPA, said it will have an International flavor with the participation of foreign players from Iran, India and some Gulf countries.

A handsome prize money of over Rs.300 000 will be at the offer in the championship. The selection format of the championship is planned as under ten internationally rated titled players will be selected by invitation or by the provincial associations from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Six players each from Punjab and Sindh and four each from KPK and Balochistan provinces will be eligible to appear in the international event.

Besides men players, eight women players will also be invited to take part while Open entry in the event can be availed by recognized chess players on payment of Rs.10,000.

Chess Players from all over the country are excited at this mega event as reported by Pakistan best chess player IM Mahmood Lodhi, IM and Shahzad Mirza, IM being the PCPA representatives Vice Chairman and Secretary General.

PCPA decided also to approach the CFP and recommend leniency in its handling of the Chess Players who participated in a recent event in Lahore. It is expected that these players will be allowed to participate in the forthcoming National Chess Championship to be held at Lahore from April 25.

Holding of international chess event will be a big boost and help the players to improve their international ranking, Mahmood Lodhi said. “I am eagerly looking forward to this international event. After the nationals, I will launch special preparations for this event”, he said on his return after taking part in two GM International events in Malaysia and Thailand.

Shahzad Mirza said they are preparing paper work and soon start sending invitations to foreign associations. (APP)