59-Year-Old Overcomes Severe Physical Handicap To Become Champion In Pakistan

Sehba Shah overcame a severe physical handicap to become Pakistan Women's Champion. The 59-year-old will now lead the national team competing in the biggest chess event on the calendar.

The 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, which takes place in Hungary's capital Budapest from September 10-23, is about more than national teams and the world's top grandmasters battling it out for glory and medals. It's also a celebration of chess as a universal game, accessible to everyone across borders, allowing smaller chess nations to showcase their talents and gain experience against the best in the world.

One of them is Sehba Shah, who, at 59, will represent her country at the Olympiad for the first time. Shah is suffering from progressive muscular dystrophy, a debilitating condition that has severely weakened her muscles and confined her to a wheelchair. Despite these challenges, her love for chess has remained unshaken.

With the help of an assistant who physically moves the pieces on the board for her, Shah dominated the 25-player national women's chess championship, scoring 6.5 points out of seven rounds.

"Chess means a lot to me considering that I have developed an interest in this game and it is now not only a hobby but a passion for me," she told Chess.com.

Chess means a lot to me considering that I have developed an interest in this game and it is now not only a hobby but a passion for me.

—Sehba Shah

Due to her handicap and the remote locations of the events, she had not been able to take part in previous national championships. This time, thanks to the Pakistani Chess Federation and other supporters, two female assistants and a driver were provided to her. That allowed her to travel from Lahore to the capital Islamabad.

"The tournament went well for me from the beginning," she said. "The event provided a level playing field in which performance on the board was the only criterion of evaluation. The event provided an opportunity where different kinds of inequalities were relegated to the background and all were judged by the same yardstick."

Shah's chess journey began at the tender age of ten, sparked by the historic 1972 World Chess Championship match between GMs Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky. Together with her older brother Selman, who also suffered from the same genetic disease, she was determined to learn the game.

Growing up in Meerut, India, the two struggled to find anyone to teach them the basics. When their cousin eventually visited from New Delhi and gave a brief ten-minute lesson on the fundamentals, their passion was ignited once more, and they developed a circle of chess-playing friends.

After moving to Pakistan in 1987, the siblings were initially isolated from the chess community but stayed active by playing correspondence chess. They continued to improve their game through reading and practice.

Selman, who had been a constant companion and moral support to his sister since childhood, tragically passed away in 1994. Despite the profound loss, her urging to keep playing chess and strive for excellence stayed with her. She continued studying chess books and analyzing games by using a small chess board and a pencil to push the pieces in the pre-computer era.

In recent years, Shah has been playing in mostly local and provincial chess events and in online correspondence chess events. She was not able to take part in the last national championship due to challenging travel conditions to a remote location and a lack of support from her federation.

That part was solved this year, and now Shah's remarkable achievement has drawn attention in her country, which led to her being interviewed by national television. She was also praised by Hanif Qureshi, the President of Pakistan's Chess Federation, who said, "I am immensely proud to describe Shah's extraordinary achievement in winning the Pakistani Women's Chess Championship. Her victory is not just a personal triumph but a beacon of inspiration for many."

Qureshi said Shah's story will encourage more people to pursue their passion and never give up, regardless of the hurdles they face. "Shah is a shining example of the inclusive and empowering nature of chess," he told Chess.com.

Shah is a shining example of the inclusive and empowering nature of chess,

—Hanif Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Chess Federation

One of Shah's biggest supporters is Samreen Khan, who also participated in Pakistan's Women's Chess Championship. She tells Chess.com that Shah caught her attention when she consistently appeared on top of the standings in district-level tournaments. 

"Being a new and amateur player myself, I've been actively seeking guidance from seniors, so meeting Sehba was a unique opportunity I couldn't miss."

After Shah became the national women's champion, the two met. "Our meeting lasted for 2.5 hours, focusing entirely on chess. Her insights were incredibly valuable, and I wished I could have spent more time learning from her."

Khan admires Shah's dedication to the game, which has led her to become a champion through "sheer mental skill and determination."

"Sehba's story is truly inspirational. Her perseverance, focus, and determination have taught me that no matter your age or the obstacles you face, you can achieve greatness if you remain committed to your goals. She mentioned in our meeting that she 'would have died if there was no chess,' highlighting how integral the game is to her life. Sehba's achievements and her journey in the world of chess deserve immense recognition, and she continues to motivate me every day."

Sehba's story is truly inspirational. Her perseverance, focus, and determination have taught me that no matter your age or the obstacles you face, you can achieve greatness if you remain committed to your goals.

—Samreen Khan, Shah's friend and supporter

Meanwhile, Shah is preparing for her next move in Budapest, telling Chess.com:

"I am excited at the prospect of playing for Pakistan. I shall prepare for the international event by focusing on eliminating weaknesses in my game and bringing about improvement in all areas, opening, middle, and endgame."