Wasim Akram of Lahore emerged as the winner of  2nd PCPA Open Rapid Championship held from February 02-05, 2012 at  Beach Luxury Hotel Karachi after having a draw in the final round against Fraz Salim of Karachi. 

Wasim Akram finished with 7/8 points, a half point ahead of International Chess Master Mahmood Ahmad Lodhi, the National Champion who got second place 6.5/8 after having beaten by Wasim Akram in the fourth round. Fraz Salim and Al-Haaj Mahmood both from Karachi tied for third, with 6 points each. NM Wahid Husain of Hyderabad, former National Champion Tanvir Gillani of Lahore, NM Muhammad Waqar and Asif Abbasi were another half point back, tied for fifth.

It was an exceptional performance by Wasim Akram, who won six games, lost none and drew two games. He finished ahead of the four top-ranked players in Pakistan — the best results he has ever produced.

British chess grandmaster Dr. Nigel Short, the chief guest on the occasion, presented Wasim the big winner’s trophy along with a cash prize of Rs.50,000. Runner-up Lodhi collected a purse of Rs.30,000 while the fast emerging Faraz Saleem was presented Rs.20,000 and Al-Haj Mahmood received Rs15,000. The total cash awards, disbursed among the top 16 players, amounted to Rs 200,000.

The championship was organized by Pakistan Chess Players Association and was named after Zahiruddin Farooqui, who represented Pakistan in various international competitions including the Chess Olympiad in 1974, 1980, 1982, 1984 and 1988.

Champion NM Wasim Akram with Nigel Short and Hanif Qureshi

IM Mahmood Lodhi receing the prize

National Women Champion Nida Siddiqui receiving the prize

Group Photos with junior players

Group photo with senior players

Nigel Short playing Simul in Karachi

Nigel Short Raees Farooqui Tariq Rasheed and hanif Qureshi

PCPA Chairman addressing the prize distribution in Karachi

PCPA V.Chairman Tariq Rasheed

Raees Farooqi son Of late Zahiruudin Farooqui with Nigel Short

DG Sports Gillani, GM Nigel Short and PCPA Chairman Hanif Qureshi

GM Nigel Short with MP Faryal Talpur who is also the sister of the President of Pakistan

The photos with caption received from Mr. Hanif Qureshi Chairman PCPA (with thanks).

Links:

• PCPA Chess Championship 2010
• Zahiruddin Farooqui's Career-compiled by IM Shahzad Mirza
• Elections of PCPA for the term 2012-13

DOWNLOAD (compressed/ zipped-38.8 kb) folder which includes:

• Tournament Circular
• Membership Form
• Nomination Form for election tenure 2012-13