Chess Association of Punjab recently hosted a remarkable display of young chess talent as the inaugural National Schools Team Chess Championship concluded with great fervor. The under-12 and under-18 categories saw intense battles among the participating teams, all hailing from schools all over Pakistan. The tournament was hosted by Learning Alliance International. In the under-12 category, Iyaad Moeed Ahemd, Ashaz Hussain, Mysha Furqan, Aayat Asmi, and Eisa Lukhesar booked first place representing Learning Alliance International School, while Muhammad Adil, Adil Rehan, Salman Haider, Abdul Rehman, and Muhammad Saleem won a commendable victory for Lahore Grammar School in the under-18 category.
The victorious teams in both age groups have earned the prestigious opportunity to represent Pakistan in the World Chess Federation’s (FIDE) upcoming inaugural School Team Championship. This global event, set to take place on August 2-8 of this year, promises to showcase the finest young chess minds from around the world in Kazakhstan, a cultural hub in Central Asia.
Over two exhilarating days, the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) oversaw the championship, leaving no stone unturned in ensuring seamless and fair competition. Before the final round in Lahore, teams underwent rigorous pre-qualifying rounds at the provincial level, vying for the chance to compete nationally. The exceptional level of skill demonstrated by the 19 participating teams from across the country was a testament to the growing expertise in the game.
The CFP, the governing body responsible for nurturing and promoting chess in Pakistan, has wholeheartedly taken up the task of preparing the victorious teams for their journey to the prestigious international event. In a commendable gesture, the CFP will provide full financial support for all the team’s needs, including travel, accommodation, meals, and other expenses. Moreover, the federation will oversee the teams’ coaching and training camps, ensuring they are primed and ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
The event was supported by the Chess Association of Punjab (CAP), the provincial body responsible for taking chess in Punjab to new heights. The Association has conducted 46 FIDE-rated tournaments in the province that includes Punjab Mind Sports, the biggest-ever tournament held in Pakistan concerning board games that awarded cash prize money over 2.6 million rupees with the help of Sports Board Punjab. All the credit goes to Hanif Qureshi, president of CFP who is also holding position of the president in Punjab, and Raja Gauhar Iqbal, General Secretary Chess Association of Punjab. The reality can be learned from the fact that both teams won for Kazakhstan also belong to the Punjab province.
