The Punjab Open Chess Championship concluded in Lahore with Asad Ali securing first place in the masters category. The two-day event drew around 350 participants across various divisions and featured cash prizes for top performers. Officials praised the tournament's organization and announced plans for larger future chess events.
The Punjab Open Chess Championship, Punjab's largest chess tournament, wrapped up at the Gymnasium Hall of Nishtar Park Sports Complex in Lahore. Organized by the Punjab Sports Department and the Chess Association of Punjab, the competition spanned two days and included about 350 male and female players in masters, amateur, women's, and U-16 categories.
In the masters division, Asad Ali took first position, with Tanveer MD Gillani in second and Hasan Tahir in third. The amateur category saw M. Umair win top honors, followed by Wajid Ali and Zeeshan Ali. Fareeha Saddique led the women's section, ahead of Noor Fatima Rashid and Sehrish. For U-16 players, M. Chaudhry finished first, with Ahmed Usman second and Ali Seena third.
Cash prizes totaling hundreds of thousands of rupees were distributed during the closing ceremony, presided over by Rana Nadeem Anjum, Director Sports Punjab. He commended the players' performances. Earlier, Muhammad Ali, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab, visited the venue, observed matches, and joined an exhibition game. Raja Gohar Iqbal, Secretary of the Chess Association of Punjab, presented him with a commemorative souvenir for supporting chess promotion.
In his address, Muhammad Ali highlighted the championship's success and chess's rising popularity in Punjab. He noted the event's arrangement under Provincial Minister for Sports Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar and credited the Sports Board Punjab staff and Chess Association officials. Ali announced intentions to host a bigger chess tournament soon and to incorporate the game into the Punjab Games and Chief Minister Punjab Pink Games. Matches on the final day started after Iftar and ran until Sehri, creating a distinctive atmosphere. Participants from various districts appreciated the well-managed competition.
