Pakistan Chess Federation Secretary, Dr. Naeem Hamid Mirza inaugurated the championship

In Pakistan, the biggest incorporated unit of the National Chess Federation, Punjab Chess Association is organizing Punjab Chess Championship 2014 in the historical city of Pakpattan. The championship is Pakistan,s second biggest Chess event after the premier Nationals. Pakistan Chess Federation Secretary, Dr. Naeem Hamid Mirza inaugurated the championship by making a ceremonial move on Board 1. Sixty-four selected Chess players from sixteen districts of Punjab are competing for the top honors and a place in Nationals. The championship is being held at the Main Hall of Government Post Graduate College. Along with the invited players, eight local Chess players form pakpattan have been given special entry into the event. National Junior champion Yousuf Azeem and National U-16 champion Rana Sufyan are also in the fray with other top seeded players.

Located in the agricultural heartland of Punjab, the city is also famous for the tomb of 12th century sufi saint, poet and missionary Farid Ud-Din Ganj Shakar. One of the most famous sufi saints of subcontinent, he is also considered as a celeberated Punjabi poet and is given the credit for raising the Punjabi language to literary levels. His 123 hyms have also been included in the most sacred books of Sikh relegion. Today his tomb is visited by thousands from across the country daily.

A view of the tournament hall

Sixty-four selected players are participating alongwith eight local Chess players

A row of Chess players during Punjab Championship 2014

National Junior champion Yousuf Azeem won his 1st round game


National U-16 champion Rana Sufyan is in the fray


Young Waqas Ahamd is one of the top seeded due to his recent performance in Chess tournamnets


Haroon from nearby city of Depalpur is top Chess player in Southern Punjab


Play in the 1st round of championship


Hassan Kamal from Lahore


There are more than ever young players who got selected from different districts of Punjab


Murtaza Faisal is one of top players of Lahore, playing first time in Southern Punjab