Sufyan Mirza (U-14 Open) during 2nd round match

The young star Yousuf Azeem Makhdoomi won the 1st National Youth Chess Championship held at Lahore from 5th to 7th September. The boy from Faisalabad showed brilliant form and outplayed his opponents by winning 8 out of his 9 games. By drawing his ninth game, he gained unsurmountable lead with 8.5/9 points in Open Under-18 category of the championship and won the crown by impressive margin.

Under-16 category was won by Rana Sufyan, also from Faisalabad while the champion in Under-14 category was Muhammad Mahen Mughal from Lahore. The first ever Under-18 youth championship was organized by Pakistan Chess Federation with cooperation from University of Lahore in their Study Hall and was participated by players from Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Hyderabad and Karachi among other cities.

The winners in all the categories were Yousuf Azeem Makhdoomi (Faisalabad) in Under-18, Rana Sufyan (Faisalabad) in Under-16 and Muhammad Mahen Mughal (Lahore) in Under-14. In Girls section the winners were Mushal Fatima (Lahore) in Under-18, Areej Maqsood (Karachi) in Under-16 and Mehak Gul (Lahore) in Under-14.

Mr. Ahmad Mustafa distributed prizes and shields at the closing ceremony held in University auditorium. Also speaking at the occasion Dr. Naeem Hamid Mirza, the General Secretary of Pakistan Chess Federation praised the efforts of UOL Chess Society for cooperation. He also took pride in the improving level and maturity of young players and expressed his hope that the young emerging stars will soon shine at the National Horizen. He noted that only with promotion of Chess in youth and childern, the country's international standings could be improved. He also announced the plans for organization of National Junior Chess Championship later this month.

The winners in all categories of National Youth Chess Championship will take part in Asian Youth Chess Championship in New Delhi, India this year.

A view of the playing hall


Mushal Fatima won Girls U-18 and a chance to participate in Asian Youth

A group of young participants in the event