Timur Turlov’s Column
August 2025 Highlights
As President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, I see firsthand how rapidly interest in the game is growing, how infrastructure is developing, and how a modern chess ecosystem is taking shape across our country. Every day, we witness new achievements that deserve recognition and appreciation, not only within our community but well beyond it.
Yet, to be honest, I sometimes feel that the true scale of the work done and the effort invested remains under the radar for the general public. Yes, chess is gaining more presence in the media, and the names of Kazakhstani athletes are becoming widely recognized. But to ensure these successes are not just isolated flashes, we must systematically record the structural changes taking place within the industry. PerhapsI need to see them more clearly myself.
That is why I decided to write directly about our work on the KazChess website. In my personal column, I will be sharing the key events of the country’s chess life.
Yet, to be honest, I sometimes feel that the true scale of the work done and the effort invested remains under the radar for the general public. Yes, chess is gaining more presence in the media, and the names of Kazakhstani athletes are becoming widely recognized. But to ensure these successes are not just isolated flashes, we must systematically record the structural changes taking place within the industry. PerhapsI need to see them more clearly myself.
That is why I decided to write directly about our work on the KazChess website. In my personal column, I will be sharing the key events of the country’s chess life.
So, here is the recap for August.
The month began with the World Schools Team Chess Championship in the United States, where the team from Almaty's Republican Physics and Mathematics School (RFMSH) captured the silver medal. The team from RFMSH-2 in Astana fell just short of a podium finish, placing fourth. Teams from other regions of Kazakhstan also performed admirably, though they were unable to finish higher this time. That is completely fine – the main thing is to keep fighting and growing stronger!
This tournament holds special significance for us because Kazakhstan not only participated but also made a major contribution to its organization. In fact, the idea of founding the International School Chess Federation originated just a year ago.
FIDE supported us back then, and the project began to grow. We see immense potential in school chess, which is why we are making it a strategic priority in Kazakhstan. It is also a powerful driver of international cooperation: the recent tournament alone brought together participants from 55 countries!
Kazakhstani chess players brought home four more medals from Hong Kong, host of the Asian Amateur Chess Championships. Kristina Kim claimed gold in classical chess and silver in blitz, Adina Baideldinova earned silver in classical, and Nurasyl Zhumabek secured bronze in classical. The field comprised roughly 400 players from 25 countries, including 14 FIDE Masters and 6 Woman FIDE Masters. The competition was formidable, as I noted at the beginning of this column.
This tournament holds special significance for us because Kazakhstan not only participated but also made a major contribution to its organization. In fact, the idea of founding the International School Chess Federation originated just a year ago.
FIDE supported us back then, and the project began to grow. We see immense potential in school chess, which is why we are making it a strategic priority in Kazakhstan. It is also a powerful driver of international cooperation: the recent tournament alone brought together participants from 55 countries!
Kazakhstani chess players brought home four more medals from Hong Kong, host of the Asian Amateur Chess Championships. Kristina Kim claimed gold in classical chess and silver in blitz, Adina Baideldinova earned silver in classical, and Nurasyl Zhumabek secured bronze in classical. The field comprised roughly 400 players from 25 countries, including 14 FIDE Masters and 6 Woman FIDE Masters. The competition was formidable, as I noted at the beginning of this column.
Of course, everyone is discussing the recent bronze medal won by Kazakhstan's national team at the FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad in Colombia. Just two years ago, our top team finished fourth, and today we stand on the podium! Kazakhstani players also earned two individual board medals: Alan Petukhov took silver on board three, while Sauat Nurgaliyev claimed bronze on board one. We couldn’t be prouder!
The central event within Kazakhstan was the conclusion of the 2nd Senat Open Cup. The final took place in Astana on August 28, featuring 218 of the strongest players from all regions. In the end, the team from the West Kazakhstan Region emerged victorious! Overall, more than 3,000 participants competed throughout the tournament, setting a new record for us. I am deeply grateful to the Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Sagatkhanuly Ashimbayev, for his personal attention to the tournament and his constant support, as well as to the chairmen of maslikhats, regional administrations (akimats), and all players. This support enables us to make the Senat Open everything we envisioned: influential, unifying, and truly a national event. After only its second season, it has already become the country’s largest chess event by participation. We will continue building on this momentum and raising the bar!
The central event within Kazakhstan was the conclusion of the 2nd Senat Open Cup. The final took place in Astana on August 28, featuring 218 of the strongest players from all regions. In the end, the team from the West Kazakhstan Region emerged victorious! Overall, more than 3,000 participants competed throughout the tournament, setting a new record for us. I am deeply grateful to the Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Sagatkhanuly Ashimbayev, for his personal attention to the tournament and his constant support, as well as to the chairmen of maslikhats, regional administrations (akimats), and all players. This support enables us to make the Senat Open everything we envisioned: influential, unifying, and truly a national event. After only its second season, it has already become the country’s largest chess event by participation. We will continue building on this momentum and raising the bar!
There is so much more I would love to tell you about – how we are digitizing chess management, integrating chess into the school curriculum, nurturing young talent, and organizing regional tournaments and training camps. But I will share just one more update.
Kazakhstan will soon host another major FIDE event: the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships U8, U10, U12. It will take place this September in Almaty. The city administration is providing immense support as we prepare for an event of this scale, for which I express my gratitude to Akim Darkhan Satybaldy. The very fact that our country was entrusted with hosting a tournament of this stature is a clear sign that we are seen as reliable partners, that our achievements are recognized, and that there is a genuine willingness to work with us. I won’t hide that, as KCF President and a citizen of Kazakhstan, this is deeply gratifying. We will do everything to honor this trust and deliver a world-class tournament.
Kazakhstan will soon host another major FIDE event: the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships U8, U10, U12. It will take place this September in Almaty. The city administration is providing immense support as we prepare for an event of this scale, for which I express my gratitude to Akim Darkhan Satybaldy. The very fact that our country was entrusted with hosting a tournament of this stature is a clear sign that we are seen as reliable partners, that our achievements are recognized, and that there is a genuine willingness to work with us. I won’t hide that, as KCF President and a citizen of Kazakhstan, this is deeply gratifying. We will do everything to honor this trust and deliver a world-class tournament.
To be frank, time for columns like this is scarce. But I realize how important it is to share what is happening. Therefore, I will strive to write regular overviews – concise, focused, and to the point.
Timur Turlov
President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation
President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation