Six-day event at Pakistan Sports Complex highlights growing popularity of chess among youth across the country
The Pakistan National Chess Championship 2026 officially commenced on Friday, attracting more than 250 participants from different regions of the country.
The prestigious tournament, featuring the 35th Men’s National Chess Championship and the 10th Women’s National Chess Championship, is being held at Rodham Hall within the Pakistan Sports Complex.
The six-day competition serves as one of the most important events on Pakistan’s chess calendar, bringing together experienced players and emerging talents to compete for national honors.
The championship reflects the growing interest in chess across Pakistan, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly embracing the strategic board game.
The opening ceremony was attended by several prominent officials and dignitaries. Federal Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani formally inaugurated the championship, emphasizing the significance of sports and intellectual competitions in youth development.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, joined Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Yawar Hussain and Pakistan Chess Federation President Syed Zeeshan Naqvi in launching the event. The ceremony featured the traditional symbolic opening move on the chessboard, marking the official start of the national competition.
Addressing the participants and guests, Pakistan Chess Federation President Syed Zeeshan Naqvi highlighted the rising popularity of chess among young Pakistanis. He noted that the game continues to gain momentum nationwide and remains an important element of intellectual and cultural development.
Naqvi stressed that the federation is committed to expanding the sport’s reach across the country. According to him, one of the federation’s key future goals is to introduce and organize chess tournaments at the school level. Such initiatives are expected to strengthen grassroots participation and provide young students with greater opportunities to develop their skills.
The championship will continue over the next six days, with competitors battling through multiple rounds to secure national titles in both men’s and women’s categories. Organizers believe the event will further boost awareness of chess and contribute to the sport’s long-term growth in Pakistan.
With a strong turnout and increasing youth engagement, the tournament underscores the promising future of chess in the country.