IN February, Pakistan got its first-ever grandmaster title in chess after the Int­­er­­­national Chess Federation (FIDE) awarded the title of honorary grandmaster to the late Mian Sultan Khan; a chess player from Sargodha, who is believed to have been the str­­­­o­­­ng­­­e­­st chess master of his time from Asia. While Pakistan is celebrating the honorary title, India has over 85 grandmasters. The contrast is striking.

Viswanathan Anand, India’s first grandmaster, was the catalyst behind the chess revolution in India. His victory as the world junior champion in 1987 not only made him the first Asian to hold the title, but also transformed India’s perception of chess, igniting a nationwide passion for the game.

On the other hand, like many other games, chess is also suffering from official neglect in Pakistan. Besides, instead of polishing critical thinking, strategic development and concentration skills, our young are indulging in social media platforms, chasing the illusion of instant fame and success.

Yet, there are glimmers of hope. The recent achievement of 12-year-old Ashaz Merchant, who earned the FIDE Arena Candidate Master title earlier this year (seen in the accompanying image), is a testament to the potential that exists within Pakistan. Also, there has been a rise in the number of chess events organised by private clubs in major cities.

However, to truly compete at the global level, the government needs to foster a more accessible and supportive environment for the game of chess. With its profound ability to enhance critical thinking and strategic skills, chess deserves to be taken as more than just a game.

Muhammad Usama
Gujranwala

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2024