‘Chess event to go ahead in Quetta’

PCF secretary refuses to change venue despite players’ security concerns.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Chess Federation (PCF) will go ahead with plans of hosting the men’s National Championship this year despite players’ apprehensions over security in Quetta.

The Balochistan Chess Federation (BCF), which was supposed to organise the national championship in Quetta last year, gave up the idea of hosting the tournament due to players’ refusal to travel to the city but PCF Secretary Abdus Salim Khan said the event will go ahead this time.

Khan said it will be unfair to take the event away from the BCF especially since organisers have assured maximum security. “Chess is an indoor game so it shouldn’t be an issue,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “It’s unfair for players to refuse to travel to Quetta.

“Only players from Punjab have expressed reservations but it’s our job to promote the game in every city of the country. Denying hosting rights to the BCF will send a wrong message. Many events are taking place in Quetta and we’re going to stick to our decision.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2012.