The international chess tournament will begin from February 10.

Pakistan’s highest-ever chess player International Master Mahmood Lodhi will be feature in two Grand Masters event being held in Iran next month.

“Invitation to appear in the event was received from Iranian Chess Federation,” record 12-time National Champion Mahmood Lodhi told reporters after the launch of Pakistan Chess Players Association (PCPA) for Zahiruddin Trophy at Karachi Club here on Thursday.

The first event will be held at Mashhad from February 10 to 20 and carries prize money of $5000. He said besides some Grand Masters, International Masters from states of Central Asian Republic, Gulf and Asian Region will be taking part in the event.
The second GM event will be held at Quazvian from February 21 to 28.
He thanked Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) Director Tariq Rasheed for funding his trip to Iran.
“By appearing in Grand Masters will give me an opportunity to raise the standard of my game,” he said.
“If I was able to get sponsorship my objective is in 2012-2013 to reach the GM level,” Lodhi, who was appointed as Parco’s MSAP Ambassador in Chess in 2011, said.
Tariq Rasheed promised that he will be making endeavors from MSAP forum for Mahmood Lodhi’s more and more participation in Grand Masters event worldwide.
“Lodhi is great national asset in chess deserved more and more support from corporate sector and other institution to blossom his skill,” he said.