QUETTA, July 26: Defending champion Shahzad Alam of won the Balochistan chess championship for the 4th consecutive time despite playing a draw in the final game with Ali Madad.

The championship, which continued for seven days was contested by 50 players from all over the province in the nine round international swiss league system.

The Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court, Mr. Justice Chaudhary Justice Ejaz Yousuf gave away the prizes.

Malik Yousuf Awan, Mir Balkh Sher Bugti, Ali Madad and Mohammad Nawaz Khan finished in that order behind Shahzad.

Professor Mohammad Akram, Nisar and Rehmatullah got sixth, seventh and eight position in the championship.

All the eight players qualified to take part in the 24th National Chess Championship to be held next month in Lahore.

National Master Shahzad Alam won the provincial champion’s title first time in 2000.

Earlier speaking on the occasion Mr. Justice Chaudhary Ejaz Yousuf has asked the government for providing suitable place in Ayub Stadium for the construction of “ Chess House”.

Secretary General of Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) Zianuddin Khilji admitted that the federation was facing financial crisis due to which Pakistan’s players could not represent country at international level.

He demanded of the government help the federation in promoting the chess gam in the country.