Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE):-The World Rapid Chess champion Magnus Carlsen is glad to joing forthcoming prestigious Global Chess League (GCL), which is going to be held in Dubai, Unites Arab Emirates (UAE) from June 21 to July 2, 2023. The six teams, the inaugural edition will be held at the Dubai Chess & Culture Club in association with the Dubai Sports Council.The GCL will see each of the six franchises play a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system played simultaneously. The top two teams will qualify for the final and be crowned the World Champion Franchise Team. Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen said:“It is an exciting prospect for me to be a part of GCL. This will be something new. Personally I very much enjoy team events and the team spirit within the group. I am looking forward to meeting the other players in the team, and competing with and against the exciting young generation of Indian players. One of the really good things about this tournament is that men and women can compete against each other at the same stage. My family has always been very supportive without ever pushing me, and for that, I’m very grateful. The year we travelled together when I was 13, earning my Grandmaster norms, will always be a fond memory.”

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD:-Syed Ahmed Ali has won the title of Islamabad Classical Chess Championship 2023, which was held at Liaqat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad.In the open Category, as many as 75 players participated and finally, Syed Ahmed Ali won the Islamabad Chess Champion title. However, in the females’ Category, total 12 players took part in the main-game 2-day fixture. Noor Fatima Rashid lifted the title of the Women’s Chess Champion of Islamabad.At the closing ceremony, Rs. 110,000 prize money was disbursed among the winners, as an equal amount of cash prizes was given to the male and female chess players. The top 8 men and 6 females of the tournament qualified for the National Chess Championship.Capitan of Islamabad Chess team Shujaat Ali was the chief organizer of the tournament while Shahzada Khurram was Chief Arbiter of the tournament. Sheikh Raheel Sajjad (Regional Corporate Head- Bank Alfalah Islamic) graced the closing ceremony as chief guest and distributed the prizes.Chief Orgniser Shujaat Ali said:“It is a pleasure to see so many talented youngsters come together to compete, showcase their skills, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and sportsmanship are commendable, and we are grateful for the effort you put in to make this tournament a success. We recognize the hard work that went into preparing for this event, and we are honored to have had the opportunity to host such a talented and passionate group of ICA members”.Ranking (Open Category):1. Syed Ahmed Ali2. Ahmed Nabeel Javed3. Salman Ali4. Syed Omer Awan5. Hamza Nisar Dar6. Zillal Shakeel Khan7. Mohammad Ahmad Mirza8. Munib ur Rehman Qasim9. Syed Saad Mohammad Shah10. Mohammad Aytza QaiserRanking (Female Category):1. Noor Fatima Rashid2. Farzeen Qureshi3. Hasfa Hashmi4. Anastasiia Nevruzina5. Rabia Hashmi6. Harema Babar7. Aila Hussain 8. Amber Hameed Malik9. Maha Habib Qureshi

Sports Bulletin ReportNew Delhi (India):-Youngest Grandmaster female chess player, Koneru has confirmed her participation in the first edition of Global Chess League (GCL), which will be held from June 21 to July 2 this year 2023, as a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, the GCL will witness six teams competing in a minimum of 10 matches each in a double round-robin format competing in the rapid chess format.A 2003 Arjuna Awardee, winner of the Padma Shri, and the 2021 BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year, Humpy is best known for her win at the 2019 FIDE Rapid Chess Championship and will be looking to make a mark once again by playing in the GCL. "It's quite an interesting one to have a league with mixed teams of men, women, and junior players. Apart from that, having a corporate like Tech Mahindra will definitely have a bigger impact on the chess world. This is one of the bigger reasons for us to take part in this event. This league will be an inspiration for organisers all over the world,” Humpy said."This is the first time an Indian corporate is coming forward to organising a Chess league. Chess is changing now, and the organisers are trying to make it more spectacular to attract more audience. We also enjoy shorter time formats in a fun way, which will be more entertaining for the audience.”Humpy, who won the World Rapid Chess Championship in 2020 started her career when she was just six years old after being introduced to the sport by her father. The 36-year-old won her first medal, becoming the national chess champion in the Under-10 category in 1997. The two time Asian Games Gold-medallist stunned the world when she earned the Grandmaster title at the age of 15 years in 2002, becoming the then youngest player to achieve the title.With a current world ranking of 204 and Classical Elo rating of 2586, the Andhra Pradesh star is regarded as one of the top players from India."I started when I was six years old. As a player, I can testify that Chess is constantly being evolved in India. We have plenty of Grandmasters now from the country and we are the fastest growing country in chess at the time,” Humpy said.Giving a brief insight into what it takes to succeed in chess, Humpy added: "Chess requires lot of practice and physical fitness. You need stamina to be at your best to perform. It takes a lot of time. It also requires a lot of material to read that we have to go through. Training for chess is a never ending story.”Koneru Humpy is also a mother of a five-year-old and when not competing in tournaments, she spends her time with her family watching movies, and going out for dinner on weekends."I have a lot of things to do at home. I have a five-year-old daughter who keeps me busy. I also love watching movies. I enjoy watching comedy films and our regional movie Sitaram has been one of my recent favourites. I also like to go to restaurants with friends and family over the weekend. Usually, I don't travel apart from tournaments because my schedule is quite hectic," she said.Humpy believes that with the current rise in women’s sports across the world, there is a lot of scope for female athletes to continue pursuing their sport even after attaining motherhood. "There are a lot of mothers who are being successful in their sporting careers now. I am proud to see that I have been able to manage both,” she said.At the same time, Humpy wishes to see a similar rise for women players in the sport of chess. "The growth of women's chess players in India is quite low as compared to men's growth. There are a lot of youngsters in Men's circuit, but there are quite a few in Women's Chess. For the population and talent we have, the number is quite less and we can improve upon that," she signed off.

Sports Bulletin ReportMumbai (India):-Global Chess League, a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, today began the lead-up to the inaugural season of GCL to be held at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club from June 21st to July 2nd, 2023, with a multi-city chess flash mob kicking off at the iconic Bandra Fort in Mumbai. Bandra Fort, also known as Castella de Aguada, is one of the key historical and tourist venues in Mumbai overseeing the famous Bandra-Worli sea link that played host to the flash mob, leaving the people around the area in awe. Celebrating the importance and popularity of chess, the flash mob was graced by several fans, eminent personalities such as Sagar Shah, Co-founder and CEO of ChessBase India, among others. Lokesh Natoo, an ardent chess fan who also participated in the tournament said, “Legendary day as Mumbai’s iconic Bandra Fort was filled with chess vibes. The chess flash mob was full of energy and fire on the board with speed chess like never before, and the highlight was the unique joint team format similar to the GCL, which added crazy excitement. I am looking forward to GCL.” The chess flash mob featured exciting activities for fans, including a joint-team-styled Blitz chess tournament inspired by the unique GCL format. The tournament was followed by a pop quiz session with the visitors, culminating in an awards ceremony for the winners. Jagdish Mitra, Chairperson GCL Board said:“Global Chess League is intended to be a phenomenon in the chess world, and through it, we hope to ensure that chess reaches every corner of the globe. We are happy to see the participation and sheer enthusiasm of the people of Mumbai. Today's event is only the beginning of bigger things as we get closer to the start of season 1. We will take this initiative worldwide as we work to make GCL a household name in the coming years." 

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD:-The two-day Islamabad Classical Chess Championship will start on May 27, 2023 at Pakistan Sports Complex, as the top 6 men and women will be selected for the Islamabad team to represent in the National Games.According to an official of the Islamabad Chess Association (ICA), the competition will be played on the basis of the Swiss System Format. An organizing committee has been formed consisting of Shajaat Ali, Iqtedar Uddin, and Shaiman Saleem to conduct the championship.The winners will be declared in Open Men’s and Open Women’s competitions. Also, cash awards will be disbursed among the top players. Position holders from all categories will be given certificates. The entry fee will be 1000 rupees.   

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE):-The world’s chess stars, Ding Liren, Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, and Hou Yifan will participate in the first edition of the Global Chess League (GCL), as the opening edition will be taken place at the Dubai Chess & Culture Club from June 21 to July 2, 2023, in association with the Dubai Sports Council, United Arab Emirates (UAE).The inaugural edition of Tech Mahindra Global Chess League will make history, featuring numerous chess icons that include a total of six World Champions in different categories, from 14 different nations, as a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, today announced the complete list of players for the upcoming inaugural edition. The first season of the Global Chess League will feature reigning World Chess Champion Ding Liren, the world’s top-ranked chess player and five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen, five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, and four-time Women’s World champion Hou Yifan, among others.All teams will compete in a one-of-a-kind joint team format at GCL, with each team consisting of six players a minimum of two women chess players per team. To add to the thrilling level of competition, five more World Champions will be competing in the Global Chess League, including reigning World Chess Champion Ding Liren, 2021 World Rapid Chess Champion Nodirbek Abdusattorov, 2008 Blitz Chess World Champion Leinier Domínguez, three-time Blitz Chess World Champion Alexander Grischuk, and 2018 World Rapid Chess Champion Daniil Dubov.Global Chess League will also feature top female superstars, including Grandmaster Hou Yifan, a four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and the second highest-rated female player of all time. She was a chess prodigy who was the youngest female player ever to qualify for the title of grandmaster at the age of 14. Hou Yifan is accompanied by Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli, Grandmaster Kateryna Lagno, Grandmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk, Grandmaster Tan Zhongyi, Grandmaster Nana Dzagnidze, Grandmaster Bella Khotenashvili, Grandmaster Nino Batsiashvili, Grandmaster Irina Krush, International Master Polina Shuvalova, and 2018 European Women's Champion in rapid chess, Elisabeth Paehtz.Grandmaster Liren, said:"Global Chess League appeared to be a fantastic opportunity from the moment I heard about it, and I was eager to participate. Not only is it an interesting format, but also, as an ICON player, I get to contribute to an exciting concept that will change the face of the chess world for years to come. Further, knowing that GCL will see participation from players worldwide, it will be a strong field, and I look forward to meeting all the players.”Magnus Carlsen, said:"The Global Chess League will be a great new event in over-the-board chess that has never been done before. I am excited to be a part of this unique mixed-team format. Chess is played by many people worldwide, but it needs to catch up to other major sports as a spectator sport, and I am optimistic that GCL will contribute significantly to this. I look forward to meeting the team, competing against India's exciting new generation of players, and enjoying the league's team spirit."Chess Grandmaster Hou Yifan said:“Global Chess League has already sparked widespread interest, and it is amazing to witness such fervour for the game of chess. I am grateful to Tech Mahindra and FIDE for inviting me to participate in the league's inaugural season, and I cannot wait for the season to begin. GCL, with its unique joint format of men and women players on the same team, is certain to take the game in new directions and open doors that have never been explored before. Chess fans all over the world are in for a treat.”The FIDE President, Arkady Dvorkovich, said:“The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League will feature chess icons, legends, and world champions from around the world, and we are excited to see the biggest names in chess compete for the top prize. This league promises a never-before-seen level of thrilling chess action, and the anticipation is palpable. We are confident the league will usher in a new era in the modern chess ecosystem.”Chairperson GCL Board, Jaddish Mitra said:"We are honoured to have some of the biggest names in chess for the inaugural edition. Apart from being great players, all of them have been ambassadors for the game in their respective countries and worldwide. With them on board, GCL only adds another feather to its cap in becoming a true game changer for the chess ecosystem by introducing a mixed-team format in chess in which men, women, and u-21 players will play on the same team. This is a true testament to our belief in providing equal opportunities to all, regardless of gender. We are certain that the league will drive and inspire a new generation of players to be interested in the growing chess community.” 

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The top city of United Arabs Emirates (UAE) will host the first Global Chess League (GCL) this year 2023 under the banner of FIDE in collaboration with Tech Mahindra, this was revealed by Dr. Aman Puri, Consul General of India here at a press conference flanked with Viswanathan Anand, five-time world chess champion, and Deputy President, FIDE, CP Gurnani, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tech Mahindra, Parag Shah, EVP and Head, Mahindra Accelo and Member, Global Chess League Board, and Jagdish Mitra, Chairperson, Global Chess League Board, in the Gulf city.“As many as six teams will compete for the top honour, as the Global Chess League will be taken place from June 21 to July 2, this year 2023. A team will consist of six players including a minimum of two female players and one icon player per team. League will be competed in a round-robin format where each team will play 10 matches. Each match will feature six boards that will be played simultaneously. The top two teams will qualify for the final on July 2, “he further divulged.Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council (DSC) Saeed Hareb said:"Hosting the Global Chess League is a momentous occasion for us. FIDE and Tech Mahindra's vision for the league will truly bring the sport of chess to a new audience and help existing fans relate to the sport more than ever before. Global Chess League is a first-of-its-kind tournament with a team verses team format that will bring together the best chess players from across the world, representing major countries and providing a unique experience to chess fans globally. We look forward to welcoming champions from across the world to Dubai, the growing sports capital.”Viswanathan Anand, Deputy President, FIDE said:“Dubai has been attracting various sporting events. The World Chess Championship in Dubai in 2021 during the Dubai Expo was a big success. Similarly, I believe the Global Chess League will mark a new beginning in fan experience. Its unique team format will contribute to the growth and development of chess. The league aims to revolutionize the game by having established and emerging talent play together on the same team. All players, including men, women, and juniors, would contribute equally to their team's success. I look forward to a fantastic inaugural season.”President FIDA Arkady Dvorkovich, said:"We are excited to announce our partnership with Dubai Sports Council to host the inaugural edition of Global Chess League in Dubai. This city has established itself as a world-class events destination, and among many other major sporting events, it has hosted the FIDE World Championship Match 2021, which was a great success. Thanks to this experience, we couldn’t think of a better partner to deliver a memorable first edition of the Global Chess League.”Jagdish Mitra, Chairperson, Global Chess League Board, said:“Dubai has emerged as a major global sports and business destination in the last decade. Its significant role in bolstering the UAE's digital economy and strengthening its position as a global knowledge hub is noteworthy. This makes Dubai an ideal location for hosting the inaugural edition of a tournament like the Global Chess League. We believe that our partnership with Dubai Sports Council, the official sports governing body of the Government of Dubai, is a major step forward in further strengthening our ties with the country. We look forward to hosting a successful league in Dubai and ushering in a new era for the sport.”

Sports Bulletin Report SAHIWAL: Sadim Lodhi from Multan has won the title of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sahiwal Open Chess Tournament, which was organized by Sahiwal District Chess Association (SDCA) in collaboration with Chess Association of Punjab (CAP), Four Brothers Group of Companies and District Management Sahiwal here. Sibt Ali of Bahawalpur and Mohammad Afzal of Sahiwal got second and third position respectively in the Open Category competitions. Lahore's Farah Majeed and Ijtiba Amir Karim were declared the winners of women’s and children's category respectively. The seven rounds, the FIDE rated tournament was a rapid format that played using the Swiss league system. As many as 108 players from across the Punjab participated in the tournament. Cash prizes, trophies, medals and certificates of Rs 150,000 were awarded to players divided into Open, Women, Senior and Under-14 categories. Shahid Saleem Qureshi- Director of Four Brothers Group of Companies and District Sports Officer Sahiwal Nisarul Haq distributed cash prizes, trophies and medals to the winning players. Also, well-known political and social personality Chaudhary Asif Nawaz Vaens, National Chess Champion FM. Aamir Karim and officials of Chess Association of Punjab attended the closing ceremony. On this occasion in Sahiwal Chess Association eminent and sports loving personalities of Sahiwal were elected office bearers for the session 2023 to 2027 by the local clubs of Sahiwal. Names of office bearers: Chief Pattern: Shahid Salim Chairman: Ch Asif Vance President: Dr Mohammad Abdullah Senior Vice President: Adv. Mohammad Raza Khan Vice President: Asif Bajwa & Afzal Mughal General Secretary: Jameel Khan Finance Secretary: Mohammad Bilal Chief Guest Shahid Saleem said: “Chess is a great game for mental development, I congratulate the Punjab Chess Association for taking the best steps to promote this game and under the patronage of the Sahiwal Chess Association as well as the Punjab Chess Association. I also assure the associations of all possible cooperation". District Sports Officer Nisar ul Haq congratulated the organizers for organizing the biggest tournament in the history of Sahiwal and congratulated the newly elected office bearers of Sahiwal Chess Association and in recognition of Raja Gauhar Iqbal's services to Sahiwal, he announced the establishment of Chess Academy named after Raja Gauhar.

Faisal JB ISLAMABAD: Salman Ali Khan has won the Quaid-e-Azam Classical Chess Tournament, which was organized in collaboration with Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP), Islamabad Chamber of Commerce (ICCI) & Industry and AEO to celebrate the Quaid Day. As many as 67 selected players from across the country participated in the tournament. The FIDE rated tournament was consisted of eight rounds, with classical format and played with a Swiss league system. In the open category, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa player Salman Ali Khan won the first position, while Punjab players Saad Farooqi and Raja Gauhar Iqbal won the second and third positions. Muneza Kanwal from Sindh and Raja Hattam-ur-Rehman from Islamabad were declared the winners of Women and Under-14 categories respectively. Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari and Patron Chess Federation of Pakistan and Federal Additional Secretary Finance Anwar Sheikh were among the guests at the closing ceremony. On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon said, "Chess is the best game for mental development, I congratulate Chess Federation of Pakistan for the best initiatives to promote the game and ensure all possible cooperation with the Federation." President Chess Federation Pakistan Hanif Qureshi appreciated efforts of General Secretary CFP Umar Khan, Finance Secretary CFP Raja Gauhar Iqbal and Rating Officer CFP Shujaat Ali for promoting the game of chess in the country.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (December 22, 2022): The two-day Quaid-e-Azam Classical Chess Championship will be played on December 24 and 25 in collaboration with Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) at the Main Building ICCI G 8/1 Islamabad. According to an official of CFP, as many 80 selected players from across the country will participate in the tournament that carries prize money of Rs 75,000. Also, trophies, medals and certificates will be awarded to players, divided into Open (U-1800 FIDE), Women and Under-14 categories. Match duration in the aforesaid FIDE rated tournament will be 30 minutes + 30 seconds increament from first move. This tournament to be played with the Swiss league system will consist of 8 rounds. Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, and Patron-in-Chief, Chess Federation of Pakistan Anwar Sheikh will be guests at the closing ceremony.