Incredible story of perseverance, fighting spirit and achieving seemingly impossible. We are glad to see the dream coming true for Ms. Sehba after 52 (!) years since her passion to chess blossomed.
This is a truly remarkable feat and we hope it will serve as a great example and inspiration to all, to fight for your dreams, nurture your passion and not give up.
Below you can read a story of Ms. Sehba Shah kindly provided to us by a fellow chess-player and a friend, Mrs. Samreen Khan.
Story of Ms. Sehba Shah, Pakistani Women Champion
“The 1972 Fischer-Spassky match ignited a lifelong passion for chess in two young siblings, Selman and Sehba Shah, who were just 10 and 7 years old, respectively, at the time. Despite both suffering from progressive muscular dystrophy, which severely restricted their mobility, they were determined to learn the game.
Living in Meerut, India, the siblings struggled to find anyone to teach them the basics of chess. Their interest in the game lay dormant for three years until 1975, when their cousin Eeshat Ansari visited from New Delhi. Eeshat’s brief ten-minute lesson on the fundamentals of chess ignited their passion once more.
Immersing themselves in the game, they soon developed a circle of chess-playing friends who regularly visited their house. The siblings also engaged in correspondence chess individually for a few years. In 1987, their family, including their elder brother who was their primary carer, moved from Meerut to Lahore, Pakistan. Initially isolated from the chess community in Lahore, they continued to improve their game through continuous reading and self-practice.
A chance encounter in a shopping center corridor led their elder brother to invite some local chess enthusiasts to their home, thus reigniting the communal chess activities they had enjoyed in Meerut. Tragically, Selman, who had been a constant companion and moral support to his sister since childhood, passed away in 1994. Despite the profound loss, his urging to keep playing chess and strive for excellence stayed with Sehba Shah.
Following the advice of former national champion Mr. Amer Karim, she continued studying chess books and analyzing games, using a small chessboard and a pencil to push the pieces in the pre-computer era. In 2008, Sehba acquired a hydraulic lift, which improved her mobility, making the transition from bed to wheelchair easier.
Encouraged by Mr. Karim in 2013, she participated in the provincial Punjab Qualifying Chess Tournament, securing first place.This victory led her to the National Chess Championship in Islamabad in 2014, where she finished second. However, due to a dispute (between two federations) the tournament was not recognized as the official National Chess Championship. Since the resolution of the federation dispute in 2022, Sehba has participated in local and provincial chess events. However, she could not attend the National Chess Championship 2022, held in the remote mountains of Gilgit, due to the challenging travel conditions. Furthermore, she missed the Punjab Qualifying Chess Championship due to short notice, which impacted her eligibility for the national event. Traveling with two female attendants and a vehicle chauffeur, Sehba required external support and expense sharing for such trips.
Despite these challenges, she qualified for the Punjab Classical Chess Championship, where she tied for first but was declared second. Motivated by various supporters, she ultimately secured the first position as the National Chess Champion. Her achievements in chess have given Sehba a profound sense of overcoming adversity, alleviating feelings of disability and dependence. She feels elated and honored by the recognition from Mr. Nigel Short, whose consideration means a great deal to her.“
“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.“ – added Mrs. Samreen Khan.
We would like to thank Mrs. Samreen Khan for sharing this story and pictures with us.
We are honored to have such champions among our #womeninchess family.
