Cloud Hosting

Chess Controversy: Mir Sultan Khan Posthumously Awarded Honorary Grandmaster Title

The world of chess has been rocked by a recent development that has sparked spirited debates on social media. The International Chess Federation (FIDE), led by President Arkady Dvorkovich, has posthumously awarded the Honorary Grandmaster title to Mir Sultan Khan, a legendary chess player who hailed from the pre-partition era of India. This recognition has not only made Sultan Khan Pakistans first grandmaster, but it has also ignited a controversy about the posthumous nationality attribution and the potential political motives behind FIDEs decision.

Born in 1903 in Sargodha, now part of Pakistan, Sultan Khans rise to the top of the chess world was nothing short of remarkable. Despite learning chess with traditional Indian rules and having a limited grasp of English, Sultan Khan managed to win the British Chess Championship three times between 1929 and 1932. His victories against former world champion Jos Ral Capablanca and draws with other prominent champions of the time have cemented his reputation as one of the greatest chess players of his era.

The decision to award Sultan Khan the Honorary Grandmaster title has not been without its critics. Scottish Grandmaster Jacob Aagaard was particularly vocal about his discontent, suggesting that FIDEs decision was influenced by political motives rather than merit-based reasons. Aagaard argued that the posthumous award to Sultan Khan is insulting to those who work for decades to achieve the title. Meanwhile, others have questioned the attribution of Sultan Khans nationality, considering he played for pre-partition India.

Amid the controversy, FIDEs decision to recognize Sultan Khan as a grandmaster comes at an interesting time, as the federation has been making efforts to promote chess in Pakistan. President Dvorkovich recently visited Pakistan for the launch of the countrys National Mind Sports Initiative, an effort aimed at improving chesss popularity and infrastructure in the nation.

In conclusion, while Sultan Khans recognition as a grandmaster has stirred up controversy, it has also shed light on the chess legends extraordinary achievements and FIDEs ongoing efforts to promote chess in Pakistan. The debate continues, but the legacy of Sultan Khan remains unchallenged.

See original here:
Chess Controversy: FIDE Awards Sultan Khan Honorary GM Title - BNN Breaking