Pakistan’s 10-person chess team will compete in the esteemed 45th Chess Olympiad, which takes place in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10–23. The team, which consists of five male and five female athletes, is prepared to display their abilities on the international scene. The Olympiad this year is anticipated to draw players from 190 nations, making it one of the biggest chess competitions worldwide.

Two players are still awaiting their visas, but the Pakistani Chess Federation is hopeful about the team’s preparation. Salim Akhtar and Shujaat Ali, who are not players, will travel with the team as officials.

Mafaaz Khalid, Amer Karim, Momin Fayzan, Muhammad Luqman Baig, and Mudasir Iqbal are the men’s team members; they have all participated in a variety of national chess tournaments.

Sehba Shah, Zenobia Wasif, Mehak Gul, Sehrish, and 12-year-old Ayat Asmi make up the women’s team. The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has decided to provide Sehba Shah with particular assistance because of her physical impairment.

The Pakistan Chess Federation has been promoting chess in educational institutions and local communities with the aim of developing future champions such as Ayat Asmi. The popularity of the sport in Pakistan can increase if the team does well at the Olympiad.