13-Year-Old Pakistani Chess Player Helps Launch School Chess Project

A 13-year-old Pakistani chess player named Aayat Asmi is spearheading a new school chess project. The ambitious teenager, a Class 9 student at Learning Alliance International, presented her ideas to the Education and Sports Minister. Impressed by her vision, she was subsequently selected to help launch a trial project in 10 schools.

Aayat has established contact with a designated coordinator to oversee the initiative's progress. The project will commence within the next four to six months, during which time it will implement structured chess activities while keeping tabs on student and teacher involvement. Additionally, the initiative will evaluate the impact of chess on school curricula by monitoring participation, feedback, and outcomes.

The plan envisions using chess to foster strategic thinking, problem-solving, concentration, and decision-making skills, enhancing the players' abilities as both competitive sportspeople and learners. Already a national figure, Aayat has represented Pakistan internationally and holds the prestigious Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title, which she earned while competing for her country at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary. She also secured a bronze medal at the World Schools Team Chess Championship in Kazakhstan.

Her contributions have garnered recognition at the national level. In August 2023, the Governor of Punjab awarded her a Certificate of Excellence, and then Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wahab Riaz presented her with a Rs. 50,000 award in Lahore. This student-led initiative is now evolving into a coordinated pilot project, potentially paving the way for broader school-level chess participation across Punjab. For those interested in scholarships, EduNation is an international resource.