Perhaps the best word to describe the current state of Kazakhstani chess is scale.
Skeptics may reasonably argue that the game itself is rather intimate: a table, a clock, a board, and two opponents facing each other – leaving little room for a grand sweep. To some extent, that is true. However, in our country, chess has already outgrown this conventional image.

Today, it has evolved into a national ecosystem backed by a clear growth strategy, nationwide development programs, strong regional influence, concrete international results, and even its own chess “Oscar.”

Kazakhstani chess has never seen such scale. This becomes especially clear through the events of May, which included the KazChess Awards and the inaugural Turkic Countries Championship.

I believe Kazakhstani chess is in a position to do this today, because we also have tangible results at the elite level. For instance, in 2023, Kazakhstan earned 126 medals at international tournaments; in 2024, that number rose to 160, and in 2025, it reached 162.

This momentum is recognized far beyond our federation. When the FIDE President points to Kazakhstan as a benchmark for other federations, it is high praise and, I will admit, deeply gratifying – but it also creates an obligation to live up to that standard.

Maintaining such a pace over the long haul is even more challenging. That is why we must value the progress Kazakhstan has achieved in recent years and use it as a foundation for future growth. As President of the KCF, I can confirm: that is precisely what we are focused on.

In short, I came away from the ceremony with very warm and positive impressions. After all, it seems we were right to create this platform for chess lovers across the country a few years ago.

Just consider the moment when Toktar Aubakirov, a legendary figure in Kazakhstan’s space history, stepped on stage to present an award to rising star Alisha Bissaliyeva. It was both moving and deeply symbolic, as virtually everyone in the hall felt that living connection between different generations of genuine Kazakhstani talent. Perhaps moments like this alone are reason enough to continue the awards.

Yet among the evening’s brightest stars were undoubtedly our athletes Aldiyar Ansat, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Edgar Mamedov, and Elnaz Kaliakhmet, who claimed the ceremony’s top honors.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the organizers, participants, and guests of the KazChess Awards. I am proud to have witnessed our national chess ecosystem that evening exactly as we all wish to see it: brilliant, respected, and united.

Now, we have gained another powerful tool of regional diplomacy that will, I am confident, further enhance our relations with Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.

Most importantly, these new ties will be forged among young people. Watching these young players during the opening ceremony and speaking with some of them in person, I realized that we truly share so much in common, and that the friendship between our nations is a natural outcome of what we share, rather than a mere coincidence.

It is with good reason that our President places such strong emphasis on Turkic integration. At a time when misunderstanding between countries is rising worldwide, we enjoy the luxury of growing and developing peacefully, relying on the support of time-tested brotherly nations.

One does not need to be a political scientist to see the warmth surrounding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visits to Astana, or how Turkestan comes alive when it hosts the OTS Summit. Turkic integration today is built on vibrant, human-to-human connections. And now, chess has become part of this process as well.

It is incredibly exciting that chess has found itself at the very epicenter of these developments.

The sporting results for Kazakhstan were also outstanding: our two men’s teams took gold and silver, the women’s team earned silver, our juniors brought home silver and bronze, and Kazakhstani players captured 16 individual medals. For the inaugural edition, this was more than a worthy result for the host nation.

I extend my sincere gratitude to our colleagues from the Akimat of Astana, the Ministry of Sports, and KNUS for their support in organizing the event. Together, we have launched a new tradition that, I am certain, will enrich the Turkic nations for many years to come.

The qualification rounds took place throughout May, featuring leading universities from North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Following intense competition, the first eight teams to qualify were determined: Saint Louis University, The University of Texas at Dallas, Ural State Mining University, National Technical University of Athens, Webster University, Universidad de Chile, Universitas Gunadarma, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

In addition to the qualified teams, eight more participants will receive wild cards. Among them are the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Harvard University, and Peking University.

Representing Kazakhstan is the Kazakh National University of Sports, which earned its spot through the national selection process. The remaining three wild card recipients, including one more representative from our country, will be announced later.

Yet even now, it is clear that this is a genuine opportunity to bring university chess back into the spotlight and to highlight Kazakhstan’s active role in this global process.

After all, a university tournament of this caliber is about more than sports and medals; it is also about academic ties, youth initiatives, and, ultimately, genuine human friendship.