KARACHI, Oct 23: The Turkish Chess Federation (TCF) and the Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) have signed an agreement for the promotion and development of chess in Pakistan.

Both countries will be playing an annual chess series in Turkey and Pakistan besides TCF helping Pakistan in coaching and training.

The agreement was signed by TCF chief Ali Nihat Yazici, who is also the vice-president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE), and director Tariq Rasheed Khan on behalf of chairman Khurshid Hadi, who is in London.

“Pakistan is a brotherly country and we will be looking forward to their progress in chess with our assistance,” Yazici said in a statement.

“We are absolutely delighted with this agreement, offered by Turkey. As they have huge talent, it will help in raising the standard of chess in Pakistan,” Tariq Rasheed, while releasing the details of the agreement on Tuesday, said .

Turkey boasts over 30 Grand Masters (GM), dozens of International Masters (IM) and has big chess promoting environment and culture. It has five foreign coaches and 60,000 chess teachers in schools.

“It’s a major breakthrough for us as Turkey is a highly rated country and exposure against their players will help us in improving our game,” said a delighted IM Mahmood Lodhi, Pakistan’s record 13-time national champion.

“Presently, India, Iran, Turkey and Bangladesh have many GMs. But during the last 15 years, Pakistan could not produce any Grand Master,” IM Shahzad Mirza, former secretary general of the Chess Federation of Pakistan, remarked.—APP