KARACHI: National Master Wasim Akram lifted the 2nd Pakistan Chess Players Association (PCPA) Open Chess Championship Zahiruddin Farooqui Trophy at Beach Luxury Hotel on Sunday.

Demonstrating fine skill and mental brilliance, Wasim, who is ranked No 3 in Pakistan, earned seven points during the championship’s eight rounds to take the crown. Playing at the champions’ table, Wasim was held to a draw in the eighth round by Faraz Saleem as Pakistan No 1 Mahmood Lodhi was also held to a draw by Mohammad Waqar.

British chess grandmaster Dr Nigel Short, the chief guest on the occasion, presented Wasim the big winner’s trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 50,000. “I have been playing chess for nine years now and have played with Lodhi four to five times during this time. Lodhi is a very tough competitor and beating him that day was like winning 50 per cent of the championship itself,” a very happy Wasim Akram, who has also represented Pakistan in Caucasus (Russia) two years ago, told Dawn after the prize-winning ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Nigel Short declared Pakistan a “Sleeping Giant” in chess. “It is a great honour to be here. I am a chess lover and it is great to encounter so many other chess lovers here in Pakistan. I can see that Pakistan has great potential in chess but it is a pity that the Chess Federation of Pakistan is not interested in developing the game here. Still, I am glad to see PCPA’s initiative of giving chess players a chance for there are a lot of great players here just waiting to be given an opportunity,” he said.

Stressing on developing the game at the grassroots, he called for sending Pakistan juniors in Asian and world championshipsand said that he was ready to help Pakistan in developing the sport in any way he could.

PCPA Chairman Hanif Qureshi, Director Mind Sports Association (MSA) Tariq Rasheed Khan, PCPA Secretary International Master Shahzad Mirza, Raees Faroqui son of legendary Zahiruddin Farooqui, Secretary Pakistan Scrabble Association Tariq Pervez and PCPA Joint Secretary Sadia Qureshi was also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, runner-up Mahmood Lodhi had to remain content with Rs30,000. Faraz Saleem, who finished third got Rs20,000. Al-Haj Mahmood received Rs15,000 for finishing joint third. The other winners comprise Wahid Hussain-fifth place (Rs9,000), Tanveer Gilani-sixth place (Rs7,000), Olympian Mohammad Waqar-seventh place (Rs6,000), Asif Abbas-eighth-place (Rs5,000), Anwar Qureshi-ninth place, Ali Nazim-10th place, Khurram Hussain-11th place (Rs4,000 each); Akhtar Hussain-12th place, Nadeem Aziz-13th place, Younus Murghani-14th place, Raees Ansari-15th place and Asadullah Khan-16th place (Rs3,000 each). Certificates were also distributed among the women and youth players.