Last week, Kazakhstan Cadet and Junior Chess Championship 2025, in which around 950 players participated, was held in Almaty, the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess) reported.
The tournament (Jan. 15 to Jan. 25) featured three formats: classical, rapid and blitz chess. Players from seven age groups, ranging from 6 to 18, competed in the event.
Last year, only one participant, Alimzhan Zhauynbay managed to secure the absolute champion’s title in the O10-age category. However, this year, four players claimed first place across all three formats: Makar Chernyshov (O6), Danis Kuandykuly (O12), Zhansaya Sholpanbek (G12) and Elnaz Kaliakhmet, who emerged victorious in classical chess in the G16 division, as well as in both the rapid and blitz formats in the G18 division.
Darmen Dauren turned the tables with his triumph in blitz, starting 14th in the O14 division and outperforming all the leaders — including the runners-up and winners of world tournaments, delivering one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Zarina Nurgaliyeva (born in 2009), the 2022 world champion for players under 14, also deserves attention for her performance in the O18 division, where she secured third place in the blitz format.
Overall, chess players from Astana emerged as informal leaders in the team rankings, securing 17 gold medals (six in classical chess, five in rapid and six in blitz). However, champions also came from the Almaty, Aktobe, Mangistau, Pavlodar and Turkestan regions as well as from the city of Almaty.
«This tournament has once again proven that Kazakhstan is incredibly rich in talented, determined and intelligent children. Our mission is to help them unlock their potential, create conditions for their prosperity and provide support. May this tournament mark the beginning of a fascinating and rewarding chess journey for hundreds of children, and may their victories serve as stepping stones to greater heights,» said Timur Turlov, the president of KazChess.
The classical chess champions will represent Kazakhstan at the FIDE World Cup Under 8–12 in Batumi, Georgia, as well as at the FIDE World Cadets Chess Championship 2025 for players aged 8–12 and the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2025, which will take place in Durres, Albania, for the 14–18 age categories.
At the same time, the vice-champions will defend the country’s honor at the Asian Youth Chess Championship 2025, which will take place in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Other runners-up are eligible to participate in several international tournaments, including the World Schools Chess Championships 2025 in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia; the Western Asia Youth & Juniors Chess Championship 2025 and the Asian Schools Chess Championship 2025 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
