In the ultimate battle of wits, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah is primed to take on an extraordinary challenge — facing off against Pakistan’s Under-18 Chess Champion, Mehak Maqbool.
Mehak, a student of the SMB Fatima Jinnah Government School, won the National Youth Chess Championship (NYCC) 2025 on Sunday, organised by the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) and Karpov Chess Club (KCC).
The chess prodigy from Karachi, brimming with potential to become Pakistan’s youngest grandmaster, will put her strategic prowess to the test against Shah — an ardent enthusiast of the board game — in a friendly match at CM House on Saturday.
Mehak’s school, a Sindh government institution adopted by Zindagi Trust, has nurtured young talent like her.
This match isn’t just about chess — it’s a moment to celebrate the potential of government school students and the power of critical thinking.
Will the CM Shah — a member of the International Chess Federation since 1992 — take down the rising star, or will the young champion checkmate the province’s top executive, stealing the spotlight?
The board is set, and the game is on!
The NYCC 2025, organised under International Chess Federation rules, is the official selection tournament for the national youth team.
The top performers will eventually represent Pakistan in the forthcoming international chess championships.
The champions of the tournament were: Mehak Maqbool, who secured 1st place in the U-18 category (SMB Fatima Jinnah Government School, adopted by Zindagi Trust); Yamna Siddiqui, who claimed 2nd place in the U-14 category (Govt SMB Fatima Jinnah School); and Alina Siddiqui, who earned 3rd place in the U-12 category (from the same school).
