Timur Turlov: Chess is key to decisive leadership

Speaking at the Digital Almaty 2025 forum, Timur Turlov, president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess) and founder of Freedom Holding Corp., stressed the importance of chess in maintaining intellectual agility, arguing that this skill is crucial for adapting to the challenges of the digital era.

«Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, making it increasingly difficult for humans to compete with its latest models,» Turlov said. «But chess offers a proven way to maintain intellectual flexibility and adapt to the digital age. This ancient game sharpens our minds and develops our ability to make quick decisions in uncertain situations.»

He noted that the KazChess stand at Digital Almaty 2025 attracted many guests who were genuinely excited to explore electronic chess boards and educational robots.

«Seeing this keen interest is truly inspiring. It strengthens my confidence in the future of chess in Kazakhstan and motivates me to push forward in achieving our ambitious goals,» Turlov said.

In the forum’s dedicated promotional zone, participants had the opportunity to explore:

• Square Off electronic chessboards with built-in AI, 20 difficulty levels and online connectivity for live broadcasts and play.
• SenseRobot chess robots that play at levels up to 3200 ELO and serve as chess tutors.
• Vintage chess sets, showcasing the history and artistry of the game.

The event also featured a special match, where Turlov faced off against a chess robot in a unique duel.

Meanwhile, recent media reports highlighted the impressive performance of 20-year-old Kazakh chess player Kazybek Nogerbek at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025 in the Netherlands. Nogerbek secured four consecutive victories in the Challengers tournament, earning 7.5 points out of 13 and finishing tied for 6th to 8th place in the standings.