KARACHI: Pakistan Chess Players Association (PCPA) is planning to hold an international ranking chess event here in Karachi during November this year.

This was decided in an Executive Council Meeting of PCPA held here on Monday. The 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 the plan for such an event and assured fullest support to the 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 which will boost the game of chess in the country, the MSAP Director said.

International Master Shahzad Mirza, who is also the Secretary General of PCPA, said it with the participation of foreign players from Iran, India and some Gulf countries, the event will have an international flavour which will be of great interest to chess fans.

A handsome prizemoney of over Rs.300, 000 will be on offer at the championship. The selection format of the championship is planned in such a way that some ten internationally rated/titled players will be selected by invitation or by the provincial associations from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. Six players each from Punjab and Sindh and four each from KPK and Baluchistan provinces will be eligible to appear in the international event.

Besides men , 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 the news of this mega event. Pakistan’s top chess players IM Mahmood Lodhi, IM Shahzad Mirza being the PCPA representatives Vice Chairman and Secretary General respectively have hailed the move.

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

Shahzad said they are preparing the necessary paper work and will soon start sending invitations to foreign associations.