President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess), Timur Turlov, shared impressive achievements and global development plans for chess in the country in an interview with Tengrinews. As the popularity of chess in Kazakhstan grows and local players achieve numerous victories in international tournaments, Turlov discussed KazChess's strategies for promoting chess both domestically and internationally.
July 20 is International Chess Day, a game rapidly gaining popularity in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstanis have become accustomed to their compatriots' consistent victories in the most prestigious world tournaments. Chess is becoming a truly mass sport in the country, enhancing Kazakhstan's influence on the global intellectual stage. Timur Turlov, President of KazChess, talks about the development path of domestic chess.
— July is traditionally the month for summarizing the first half of the year. Additionally, it’s a fitting date: International Chess Day and the 100th anniversary of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). What successes is the Kazakhstan Chess Federation approaching this day with?
— Since last year, we have set a high pace for the development of KazChess and held several major tournaments. The work of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation had two parallel directions: internal and external. Within the country, we opened regional branches, sought out and supported talents, and set up communication with athletes. The external work was aimed at a global audience—we held two world championships in Astana and Aktau. The attention of the international audience to these tournaments positively affected the recognition of our country worldwide, which is important for promoting Kazakhstan as a chess powerhouse and one of the intellectual centers of the world.
Achievements in sports are measured by medals and titles. Last year, our chess players won 116 medals, including silver in the women's team world championship, bronze in the women's team at the Asian Games, and two gold and two bronze medals at the Asian individual championship.
In 2024, KazChess is not slowing down: since the beginning of the year, Kazakh chess players of different ages have participated in eight official international competitions, winning 65 medals: 28 gold, 20 silver, and 17 bronze. And in certain age categories, Kazakhstan completely dominates world chess.
Behind these numbers are months of preparation, hard work, support from coaches, parents, and KazChess itself. In early June 2024, we successfully held the Asian Youth Championship in Almaty, which attracted a record number of participants for us—650 people. The event was held under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and received the highest ratings from our colleagues.
We are very grateful to our partners from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Almaty Akimat, who always provide us with maximum support, relieving us of a myriad of organizational, logistical, and other very challenging tasks for an event of this scale. The involvement and dedication of our friends push us to strive even more.
— Which victories deserve special attention?
— I would especially like to note Kazbek Nogerbek's victory at the under-20 world championship, where he triumphantly defeated the strongest opponents.
Such a success in classical chess among our youth has not been seen since 1998, so his victory is a new chapter in the history of Kazakh chess. And it's great that we are writing this history together.
In general, 2024 can be called the "junior year" for KazChess due to the series of victories by young Kazakh players. At the Asian Youth Championship in Almaty, they won 12 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze medals in various categories. Eight-year-old Alisha Bisaliyeva became the world champion in rapid chess, and 13-year-old Aiyaru Altynbek became the world champion among schoolchildren in classical chess. At the World Cup in classical chess, gold medals were won by eight-year-olds Rizat Ulan, ten-year-olds Nuraly Bolashakov, and Milana Filippova. At the 7th Western Asia Youth Championship in Kalutara (Sri Lanka), our players won 9 gold medals in rapid, blitz, and classical chess.
When we launched the program to support young talents at the beginning of this year, we honestly did not expect the results to come so quickly. All the children I mentioned are participants in this program. This helps athletes focus on their development and self-improvement in the game. Given such a wave of victories, it seems we will have to expand the scale of the program.
— In recent years, there has been talk about integrating chess into the school curriculum. Are there any movements in this direction?
— The development of chess in schools is a very important project for us, and we are glad that we finally managed to get it off the ground. Last year, at the initiative of KazChess, the government adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Chess in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023-2027. Colossal work has begun in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. By 2027, the federation plans to introduce chess as an elective subject in 1,500 schools. I am sure that, as usual, these numbers will eventually be significantly higher.
A pilot project to support chess classes in primary schools has already been launched in 42 schools in 7 regions of the country. We aim to cover tens of thousands of students. Parallel tasks are also being solved—this includes the preparation of textbooks, conducting methodological events, organizing tournaments, and providing the material and technical base for this entire process. All this fundamental work is aimed at identifying new talents and developing the intellectual potential of the country. In these and other initiatives for the development of chess, we feel the support of the President of the country, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who sees chess as a tool for developing an intellectual nation and promoting a culture of knowledge.
The reputation of Kazakhstan is strengthened by another initiative of KazChess—seminars by Kazakhstani coaches for chess players and their mentors in Oman, Tajikistan, and Sri Lanka, with plans for Nepal and Cambodia. Here, the federation takes on the role of a mentor for developing the chess potential of the Asian region. The first series of seminars has already passed, after which we received positive feedback and thanks from our colleagues from FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation.
— There are social media posts about KazChess participating in an achievement worthy of the Guinness World Records. Can you tell us more about this?
— Indeed, International Chess Day is celebrated annually on July 20. On this day, various thematic events are held in all countries that are part of FIDE. And this year, when FIDE celebrates its 100th anniversary, this day will be even more special: the organization aims to get into the Guinness World Records for the most chess games played in 24 hours.
From the streets of cities to digital arenas, from classrooms to large halls—the whole world will turn into a chessboard. And, of course, Kazakhstan will also contribute to this historic event. On July 20, with the support of akimats, at least two thousand people will sit down at chess tables simultaneously in all regional centers and cities of republican significance. The main center of attraction will be Almaty, where a blitz tournament KazChessFest with a prize fund of 2 million tenge will be held with the participation of 1,000 chess players.
— In August, the World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships will be held in Astana. What do you expect from this event?
— Tournaments of this level are becoming the norm for our country. From August 1 to 5, we are preparing to host the World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships — FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024. And it promises to be even more large-scale and exciting than the first such tournament, which was held last year in Düsseldorf, Germany.
This year, blitz has been added to rapid chess, and the WR Chess Team, defending its title, will be led by multiple world champions and the top-ranked men and women, Magnus Carlsen and Hou Yifan. Current world champions Ju Wenjun and Ding Liren will also play. But these are not all the stars that will decorate the chess sky of Astana for a whole week. More than 30 international teams have already registered, with many super grandmasters among men and women. Our leading chess players will not stand aside from such an outstanding event: two-time blitz world champion Bibisara Assaubayeva, Denis Makhnev, Ramazan Zhalmakhanov, Arystanbek Urazayev, and many others.
It is important that the championship will be preceded by another significant event—the arrival of the Olympic Flame relay in the capital of Kazakhstan, which will then burn from September 10 to 23 in Budapest at the 45th Chess Olympiad. On August 1, representatives of the government, famous athletes, and cultural figures will participate in this solemn ceremony. When the Olympic Games are held in France, the flame of the Chess Olympiad will be in our capital, which, you must agree, is symbolic and honorable. Taking this opportunity, I invite all Kazakh fans and the media to witness such a significant event in the history of Kazakh chess.
— Undoubtedly, the federation's plans are ambitious. But what does chess mean to you personally? Why invest so much money and effort?
— You know, today I can say that the development of chess in Kazakhstan is probably one of the best investments I have ever made. This is coming from an entrepreneur managing a holding with a capitalization of nearly $5 billion. Think about it: where else do the invested funds almost immediately turn into such clear and tangible results as medals and victories? This confirms my belief that human capital is the best investment direction, especially in Kazakhstan.
Initially, after joining the federation, we had some turbulence. Everyone involved in chess in Kazakhstan—coaches, athletes, and their parents—knows their worth, clearly understands the essence of things, and evaluates people not by words but by deeds. But now, it seems, we have no contradictions with each other, and the federation feels tremendous support from the chess community. How could it be otherwise when we are united by a great mission—to turn Kazakhstan into a world chess powerhouse through the successes of our children and students?
It's great, such ambitious tasks make life more meaningful and give the energy to move forward. Believe me, this is just the beginning, the main victories are yet to come!
— Thank you for the interview.
