Short as it is, February may unexpectedly turn out to be one of the most eventful months of the year for me.

In the first few days of the month, we visited Pakistan as part of our President’s state visit. Together with our Pakistani colleagues, we set up and opened a modern chess venue in Islamabad. I’ll share more details about that below.

Then, just a couple of weeks later, we were in Almaty launching Kazakhstan’s first new-format chess competence center, KazChessLab.

Behind all of this lies one underlying thread: chess education.

That is precisely what I want to dive into today. Along the way, I’ll share a few other exciting highlights from February.

Our primary focus is the long-term development of Kazakhstan.

After all, chess is not merely a game – and certainly not just a sport. It is a powerful tool for cognitive development, working at an age when a child’s brain is at its most adaptable.

When a first-grader sits down at the board, they learn far more than just how to move the pieces. They learn to plan ahead, calculate consequences, and hold multiple scenarios in their mind. They learn to concentrate in an era when this ability is needed more than ever. They learn to handle loss and draw lessons from it.

These skills benefit a child not only in math class, but throughout life – in any profession and in any field. Ultimately, this directly contributes to the quality of our nation’s human capital.

We see this in practice: teachers from schools that have integrated chess report improved academic performance, greater independence of thought, and lower anxiety levels among students. Chess creates an environment where thinking is cool and prestigious.

Crucially, our program is inclusive by design. At the chessboard, there is no divide between urban and rural children, or between top performers and those who struggle with standard academics. Chess gives every child the chance to feel smart, successful, and capable of achieving more. That alone is invaluable.

As a reminder, FIDE declared 2026 the Year of Chess in Education. Kazakhstan is among the global leaders in this movement. We genuinely have a lot to show, much to share with other countries, and a clear vision of where to go next.

However, any educational program stops evolving unless it is continuously enriched with new content.

That is why on February 19, we opened KazChessLab in Almaty – our country’s very first modern chess laboratory, based at the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University (QyzPU). On that same day, we presented certificates to the first 25 female graduates of the Minor program in Chess Education.

You know, it was one of those days when you realize that something truly important is happening.
Why was it so important? Because until that moment, Kazakhstan did not have a single officially certified chess educator. We had coaches, we had enthusiasts, we had teachers who took on chess clubs alongside their main subjects. But a professional standard, a structured training system, a solid methodological foundation – none of that existed. Now, it does.

Of course, KazChessLab itself is a source of special pride. This is not just a room with a few chess tables. It is a full-fledged methodological hub, a training facility, and a research lab all rolled into one. Here, new curricula will be developed and tested, masterclasses and seminars will be held, and specialists will be trained for schools across all of Kazakhstan.

Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek attended the event, and that fact alone speaks to the seriousness of the state’s intentions. We are deeply grateful to the Ministry for its support. Without it, launching such bold projects would have been far more difficult.

Also in February, the President of Kazakhstan paid a historic state visit to Pakistan. Our nations signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership along with a package of interstate agreements. On our end, we signed a joint annual action plan with the Pakistan Chess Federation.

I must admit, it was a special moment for me. Across thousands of kilometers, in two countries with vastly different cultures and histories, chess served as a shared language of diplomacy.

As part of the visit, we launched a chess academy in Islamabad, fully prepared and equipped by the KCF. It opened at the Dostyq Sports Center. I have no doubt that this will further strengthen the ties between our nations and give our partnership deeper, practical meaning. Preliminary agreements are already in place to host chess training sessions, masterclasses, and tournaments there.

Pakistan truly has immense potential. Seven million children are already involved in chess there – a massive base to build upon. With the right training system in place, these young players could grow into strong international competitors. In line with our President’s diplomatic approach, we stand ready to share our expertise – inviting Pakistani youth to compete in Kazakhstan, sending Kazakhstani coaches to work with local children, and developing joint initiatives.

In fact, we have been doing this for a few years now, but the scope is expanding dramatically.
Speaking at the Kazakhstan-Pakistan Business Forum, I highlighted how sports projects foster “direct trust” between nations – something vital not just for diplomacy, but for the business community as well. On that front, we are on solid ground.

Kazakhstan and Pakistan already share a great deal in common: young demographics, a drive toward a digital future, and a genuine readiness to collaborate. I am confident that on this foundation, both our chess and business projects will flourish, alongside our broader friendly relations.

Kazakhstan is undoubtedly ready for this competition. Where does this confidence come from? We continue to invest in our chess teacher training system just as intensively as we do in athletic performance. We continue to develop modern infrastructure across the country. It is precisely this approach that gives us the competitive edge that others so often lack.