ISLAMABAD: The inaugural Portugal-Pakistan Chess Tournament on Saturday was a high stakes action event.

The tournament was organised by the Serena Hotels as part of its ongoing Sports Diplomacy Initiative, hosted in collaboration with the Embassy of Portugal in Islamabad and the Chess Federation of Pakistan.

The tournament was a symbolic celebration marking the National Day of Portugal in Pakistan and commemorated 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A total of around 40 chess players, ranging from seasoned professionals to emerging young talents, participated in the intellectually stimulating competition. The event created a lively and welcoming space where people of all ages could enjoy playing chess, a game that brought people together from different countries and cultures.

The tournament was widely attended by diplomats, representatives of government and international organisations, and members of Islamabad’s civil society, all coming together to appreciate the power of chess as a tool for diplomacy and cultural exchange.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2025