Kazakhstan’s young chess players made a strong showing at the Western Asia Youth Chess Championship in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, bringing home a total of 39 medals —16 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze.
According to the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess), standout performances came from Amirzhan Anetov, Mariya Kholyavko, Alimzhan Zhauynbay and Sultanbeibarys Dumanuly, who each won gold in standard chess. Anetov and Kholyavko also topped their age categories in blitz chess. Meanwhile, Adinur Adilbek and Amaliya Yedresheva each captured gold in both rapid and blitz formats.
Here are Kazakhstan’s gold medalists by category and age group:
Standard chess
- Amirzhan Anetov (age 10), Astana.
- Alimzhan Zhauynbay (12), Astana.
- Mariya Kholyavko (14), Almaty.
- Sultanbeibarys Dumanuly (16), the Abay region.
Rapid chess
- Adinur Adilbek (8), Astana.
- Amaliya Yedresheva (8), Astana.
- Symbat Zhetpis (10), the Atyrau region.
- Nurassyl Primbetov (12), Astana.
- Aldiyar Zhauynbay (14), Astana.
- Alikhan Daulet (16), Almaty.
- Asiya Assylkhan (16), the Turkestan region.
Blitz chess
- Adinur Adilbek (8), Astana.
- Amaliya Yedresheva (8), Astana.
- Amirzhan Anetov (10), Astana.
- Mariya Kholyavko (14), Almaty.
- Malika Dzhapparbekova (16), Astana.
«Our young talents have once again given the country a reason to be proud,» said Timur Turlov, president of KazChess. «This is the result of daily dedication and confidence in their abilities. Each success is a reminder that, together, we are building a strong new generation of chess players in Kazakhstan.»
The championship in Dushanbe drew 391 players from 13 countries, ages 8 to 18.
The victory follows another strong performance earlier this year when Kazakhstani juniors claimed 10 gold medals at the FIDE World Cadet & Youth Rapid & Blitz Championships, held on April 12-18 in Rhodes, Greece.
