University Chess in Pakistan: Karachi Varsity Retains Title

Hello everyone,

Some chess news from South Asia: FIDE reports on the Pakistan University chess: The Pakistan Chess Federation in collaboration with the country's Higher Education Commission organised the All-Pakistan Inter Universities Chess Championships from 13th April to 17th April in Faisalabad, the country's third biggest city. A record number of 24 universities took part with three members each and a reserve players. 

Top-seed Karachi University beat their arch rival Punjab University in the final to win the title for the second year in a row. Although the latter had better ranked players in its team. The University of Veterinary Sciences squeezed into third place.

The Inter University Tournament has become a regular feature to take place as a prelude to the National Chess Championships in Pakistan every year. Based on the individual scores on respective tables, three top players are selected to give them a berth in the country's premier National Chess Championships which for 2014 are going to take place in Lahore from 25th April. In Faisalabad, the qualifiers were Awad of Karachi University, Arqam of Punjab University and Ahmad Ali from Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences. *Find more photos at FIDE

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

Believe it or Not: 4th Death Anniversary of 1st SMS Chess Championship in Pakistan!

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

We've just received this link from Chess Blog friend in Islamabad, Nazir Hussain. He says, the report is about the "death anniversary" about an SMS chess championship in Pakistan that began with great gusto, but for unknown reasons, petered out.

Without getting into the conspiracy theories behind it all, we're intrigued by it all. Read this: 

On October 15, 2013 fourth death anniversary of 1st SMS chess champioIs this for  real? Or, a creative chess post? nship was celebrated. In November 2009, Mr. Muhammad Waqar chief organizer of the event and General Secretary of so called “Pakistan SMS Chess Federation” (missing since then) released a very short statement Just before the start of final round “This championship has been stopped by the instructions of our sponsor with “immediate effect”. He did not respond to the questions; why it was suspended? And when it will resume? Everyone concerned has a one million question; ” Will it ever resume??”
No one knows who was the sponsor? Who is president of this so called Pakistan SMS Federation but it’s some other office bearers are Amer Karim, Tanveer Gillani and Shahzad Alam.
Ist SMS Chess Championship started from October 15, 2009. 12 teams from all over Pakistan participated in the championship. The championship consisted of 4 rounds. The total prize fund of the championship was Rs.100, 000/- (one hundred thousands). Pakistan prominent players partcipated in the championship including Fide Master Omer Khan, National Masters Tunveer Gillani, Amer Karim, Waseem Akram, Wahid Hussain, Khalil ur Rehman Butt and Gulraiz Nazir. Shahzad Alam was the chief Arbiter of the championship.

All we, at Chess Blog, can say is RIP, but may chess live long in Pakistan.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

Turkey-Pakistan in Chess Pact for Friendly Chess Exchange

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

The Turkish Chess Federation (TCF) and Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) have signed an agreement for promotion and development of chess in Pakistan. Both countries will be playing an annual chess series in Turkey and Pakistan. Besides, TCF will also help Pakistan in coaching and training during their visit to that country. The agreement was signed by TCF Chief Ali Nihat Yazici, who is also a Vice President of World Chess Federation (FIDE), and Director Tariq Rasheed Khan on behalf of Chairman Khurshid Hadi, who is in London.

“Pakistan is a brotherly country and we would be looking forward to their progress in chess with our assistance”, Ali Nihat Yazici, said in a statement. As per the agreement, a 10-member team of men and women with an official will be visiting each other’s country with the host country providing board and lodging and transport during their stay in the country.

“We are absolutely delighted with this agreement,” Tariq said while releasing the details of the agreement on Tuesday. Turkey has over 30 Grandmasters (GM), dozens of International Masters (IM), five foreign coaches and 60,000 chess teachers in schools. “It’s a major breakthrough for us as Turkey is a highly rated country in the world of chess. Exposure against their players will help us in greatly improving our game,” said Mahmood Lodhi, Pakistan’s record 13-time national champion and an IM. “Regularly playing against top Turkish players may help me realise my dream of reaching the GM level,” Lodhi said. IM Shahzad Mirza, who is also a former Secretary General, Chess Federation of Pakistan, said India, Iran, Turkey and Bangladesh had many GMs, but Pakistan had failed to produce one in the last 15 years.

“This agreement for visits of chess teams on yearly basis will provide significant push to the game of chess in Pakistan,” he said.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

Thank god Kasparov has retired, but he is tops in chess: Nigel Short

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012


Hi everyone,


The ever-witty, maverick grandmaster Nigel Short was in Pakistan the other day as honourary guest at the Pakistan National Championships. (Read the report on www.chessblog.com.) We picked up some nice quotes given by the British chess player to Pakistan press. 

• I had a couple of celebratory drinks before reaching here
• I love to travel and the game has taken me to many countries. Pakistan is the 98th country that I have visited so far.
• Chess has a 1,500-year history in the subcontinent. India today is a big chess powerhouse with strong players and Viswanathan Anand as the world champion, but I was wondering about what was going on with chess in Pakistan.
• Players like Shahzad and Lodhi have given the game recognition here. Now Pakistan should look towards the younger generation to take this game to higher levels. All you need is a bit of money and a few willing people to see the talent flourish here
• (On if there was money in chess as compared to cricket or tennis) Well, I just won 25,000 pounds at the Gibraltar Masters. Chess won’t make you rich, but it’s not so bad either. Plus world championships are worth over a million dollars.
• (On most interesting opponent) Gary Kasparov - That man has tortured me more than anyone. Thank God he has retired now. But he is tops! You can’t go up and challenge a chess champion just like that. There is a meritocracy that has you going through a process in Britain. I kept playing and winning at the zonal level to come up and finally be able to face the champion.
• (On most difficult match) Against Anatoli Karpov in 1992 in Spain. “He was the champion for 10 long years from 1975 to 1985 and I defeated him.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal blog at

www.chessqueen.com

Wasim Akram leads Pakistan national chess event

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

More chess news from Pakistan. National chess master and Pakistan No 3 Wasim Akram caused a major upset in the 2nd Pakistan Chess Players Association (PCPA) Open Chess Championship Zahiruddin Farooqui Trophy underway at Beach Luxury Hotel when he beat defending champion Mahmood Lodhi in the the event’s fourth round.

Four times national champion and Pakistan No 2 Tanveer Gilani also fell into difficulties against national master Asad Rampuri. Asad was in a better position against his counterpart but failed in maneuvering his pieces correctly before losing the game. But Tanveer’s joy was short-lived as Lodhi beat him in 57 moves in the fifth round to bounce back in the event.

Wasim Akram leads with five points, Mahmood Lodhi and Pakistan No 34 Khurram Qureshi were tied for the second spot with four points, No 10 Riasat Ali Nazim, No 8 Syed Wahid Hussain and No 4 Anwar Qureshi, Tanveer Gilani, Jahangir Ahmed and Asif Abbasi are tied at third position with 3.5 points.

The third day’s matches were watched by visiting British Grandmaster Nigel Short who is a guest-of-honour at the event. “I wouldn’t object to coaching in Pakistan if given an offer if you can find sponsorship to arrange that. I wouldn’t have the slightest problem with that,” he said.

The grandmaster would be playing chess with 12 young players of the country. Read further here.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com

Pakistan looking for women chess players!

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

Some news from Pakistan where chess is witnessing an 'awakening'. The Pakistan Chess Players’ Association (PCPA) is looking for more women players to participate in the Zahiruddin Farooqi Trophy that starts tomorrow at the Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi.

The tournament will also see British Grandmaster Nigel Short hold a simul. The main tournament features over 60 players of which only four are women players. 

According to the PCPA Secretary Shehzad Mirza, women’s chess is still in its infancy in the country and the PCPA will shortlisti four or five of the best female performers from the International School Olympiad and invite those players to take part in the competition.
“We still don’t have many professional women chess players so we’re giving a chance to the students,” Mirza told The Express Tribune.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com