KARACHI: Pakistan’s top-ranked chess player International Master Mahmood Lodhi returned here on Tuesday after taking part in three international events held in different cities of Iran.

“Participating in these events with some top Grand Masters and International Masters was a great experience indeed and helped me in improving my game and rating,” Lodhi said upon his return from Tehran.

Being a record 12-time national champion, Lodhi was extended an invitation from the Iranian Chess Federation to feature in the events. “I improved my rating by 17 points,” he said.

Lodhi, however, said he was not really satisfied with his performance and was looking for more exposure at the international level. “I could have finished among the top ten in the first event held in Mashhad. But two bad games in the last two roundsmade me slip below 20 in the 148-player contest which was a big disappointment,” the veteran star said.

In the end, Lodhi thanked Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) Director Tariq Rasheed Khan for supporting him and funding his trip to Iran.—APP