Sindh CM gave me 'tough time', says chess champ Mehak Maqbool

KARACHI: Following her glorious victory against Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Pakistan’s chess prodigy Mehak Maqbool revealed some interesting details about their friendly yet firm bout.

While speaking on Geo News programme "Geo Pakistan", the young chess pride said: “He [Sindh CM] gave me a tough time and he plays really well.”

Mehak expressed immense joy and affirmed that she was very proud when the chief minister invited her for the chess match in response to the hosts’ questions asking if she was scared of the game with such an influential political personality.

She also disclosed about the amazing chess skills of the chief minister.

“He [Sindh CM] started with the queen’s gambit, white side was his and black was mine,” she said.

She then added: “Queen's gambit is a very strong opening in chess which makes it evident that he [Sindh CM] is a very good player.”

The young chess player praised the chief minister’s way of playing chess and took pride in gaining the opportunity of sharing a game with him.

Additionally, Mehak also informed that she practices for chess daily, follows chess books and dreams of achieving the title of chess grandmaster.

Moreover, she told the viewers and listeners that chess helps children in reducing their screen time. The kids who play chess are good at maths.

“I am to play internationally in Tajikistan. I will play in the Youth International Championship,” she further added.

It is worth noting that Mehak, a student at SMB Fatima Jinnah School, which operates under Shehzad Roy’s Zindagi Trust, recently claimed the Under-18 title to become Pakistan’s junior chess champion.

Mehak had also won the National Youth Chess Championship (NYCC) 2025 organised by the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) and Karpov Chess Club (KCC).

Earlier on Saturday, Mehak checkmated the provincial chief executive in just 15 moves, surprising the nation.

The CM had invited Mehak, the Under-18 national junior chess champion, to the match to recognise her achievement.

Furthermore, Sindh CM Shah congratulated the Under-18 national chess champion on her achievement, according to the provincial chief executive's spokesperson.