Chess training programme to start soon

KARACHI: The Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP), with the collaboration of the Pakistan Chess Players Association (PCPA), has planned a training programme for grooming chess players who have potential to become Grand Masters.
Tariq Raheed Khan, MSAP director, informed ‘The News’ here on Monday the programme would be started once Mahmood Lodhi, who holds the record of winning the national title on the highest number of occasions, attains the status of the country’s first-ever Grand Master.
“Following his terrific performance in the international events last year it seems a matter of time for Lodhi to be elevated to the rank of Grand Master. All he needs is greater exposure in foreign events to accomplish his most cherished goal which will make the nation proud,” Tariq, also the President of the PCPA, remarked.
“His graduation to the level of Grand Master will not only break the barrier but will also serve as a source of inspiration for the young chess players of the country,” he added.
He was particularly delighted with the consistent performance of Lodhi in the high-profile 3rd Al-Ain International Open Chess Tournament last month. “This was by far the most consistent performance in any international event against top Grand Masters of International Chess Federation (FIDE). During the tournament, he was able to hold the Russian GM Volkov Sergey, having FIDE rating 2599, to a draw. By virtue of his consistent display, he improved his ranking by 65 points from 2,328 to 2,392 points,” Tariq said.
According to official results, Lodhi had claimed third tier with 6 points with Top GMs at 7.0 and Next GMs at 6.50.
During the course of the nine-round competition, he played five GMs and won two, drew two and lost one.
“This has to be regarded as the best-ever achievement by any Pakistani chess player at the international level. Over 150 chess masters, including 20 Grand Masters and over 30 International Masters, contested the tournament,” the MSAP director said.
“He has proved once more that he’s fully capable of becoming a Grand Master. There seems a realistic chance of him doing it during the current year. He is in very high spirits, is focused and committed. We are positive that he will achieve this title soon,” Tariq said.