Kazakhstan Chess Championship Final Kicks Off in Astana

The final stage of the 2025 Kazakhstan Classical Chess Championship has officially begun in Astana, DKnews.kz reports. For the first time in many years, the tournament is being held in May instead of the traditional December slot — a change made to accommodate the packed chess calendar. Although less than six months have passed since the previous championship concluded, players have already participated in numerous major events, including Kazakhstan’s Junior Championships (U6–U18 and U20), the World Junior and School Championships, the semifinal of the 2025 Kazakhstan Championship, the Asian Zonal Championship, and the Asian Individual Championship. Thanks to this intense schedule, all participants arrive at the final with substantial competitive experience.

Participants

The lineup was determined as follows:

• The top five finishers from the 2024 Kazakhstan Championship;
• Three winners of the 2025 semifinal;
• Two national champions in junior categories (U18 and U20);
• Four nominees selected by the Coaching Council of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KCF).

The final is held in two divisions — Open and Women — with 14 players competing in each. The format is a 13-round round-robin tournament. Time control is set at 90 minutes per game plus a 30-second increment per move from the first move.

Prize Fund

The total prize pool is 20 million tenge. The prize distribution for each category is as follows:

• 1st place — 3,000,000 ₸
• 2nd place — 2,000,000 ₸
• 3rd place — 1,500,000 ₸
• 4th place — 1,200,000 ₸
• 5th place — 900,000 ₸
• 6th place — 700,000 ₸
• 7th place — 500,000 ₸

Women’s Division

The average rating in the women’s category is 2181 — the highest figure in the past decade. Competing for the national title are three former champions, prizewinners of the Asian Championships, and finalists from the Asian Zone 3.4 Championship. Rising junior players who have already made a mark on the national stage are also part of the lineup.

Participants:

1. IM Meruert Kamalidenova (2345, Astana)
2. WIM Amina Kairbekova (2344, Astana)
3. WGM Alua Nurman (2338, Almaty)
4. WGM Kseniya Balabayeva (2311, Almaty)
5. WFM Yelnaz Kaliahmet (2258, Almaty Region)
6. WGM Lia Kurmangaliyeva (2246, Almaty)
7. WFM Zarina Nurgaliyeva (2235, Atyrau Region)
8. WIM Assel Serikbai (2223, Kyzylorda Region)
9. WFM Mariya Kholyavko (2130, Almaty)
10. WIM Ayaulym Kaldarova (2115, Shymkent)
11. WFM Kristina Popandopulo (2061, Karaganda Region)
12. WFM Zhaniya Nauanova (2031, Pavlodar Region)
13. Zhanbota Kamarova (1954, Akmola Region)
14. Asiya Asylkhan (1939, Turkistan Region)

Ages of the participants range from 13 to 23. The youngest are Yelnaz Kaliahmet and Mariya Kholyavko — both 14 years old (Mariya will turn 14 on the final day of the tournament). The oldest player is Assel Serikbai, aged 23. Most participants are under 20 years old.

Open Division

The average rating in the Open category is 2405, placing the tournament in Category VII by international standards. The field features national champions from previous years, winners of international competitions, participants of World Junior Championships, and finalists from zonal tournaments.

Participants:

1. GM Kazybek Nogerbek (2538, Astana)
2. GM Denis Makhnev (2526, Pavlodar Region)
3. GM Alisher Suleimenov (2515, Pavlodar Region)
4. IM Aldiyar Ansat (2489, East Kazakhstan)
5. IM Zhandos Agmanov (2480, Astana)
6. GM Ramazan Zhalmakhanov (2456, Almaty)
7. IM Daniyal Sapenov (2415, Karaganda Region)
8. IM Ayan Akhmetov (2410, Astana)
9. IM Abilmansur Abdilkhaïr (2401, Shymkent)
10. IM Satbek Akhmedinov (2392, Astana)
11. IM Alibek Igambergenov (2315, West Kazakhstan)
12. FM Yergali Suleimen (2302, Astana)
13. FM Aldiyar Zhauynbai (2265, Astana)
14. FM Yerlan Tleukhanov (2169, Almaty)

Player ages range from 13 to 30. The youngest is Aldiyar Zhauynbai (13 years old). The oldest participants are Ayan Akhmetov (28) and Alibek Igambergenov (30). A total of six players are under the age of 21.

Among the notable participants are:

• Kazybek Nogerbek, reigning U20 World Champion;
• Aldiyar Ansat, winner of the Asian Championship in Zone 3.4;
• Yergali Suleimen, a two-time World Champion in junior rapid and blitz formats.

The 2025 Kazakhstan Chess Championship Final is the centerpiece of the nation’s spring chess season. The country's strongest players have embarked on the quest for prestigious titles, significant cash prizes, and a place in Kazakhstan’s chess history. Ahead lie 13 intense rounds over the course of a week and a half. The championship will conclude on June 1st.

The eyes of the entire Kazakhstani chess community are firmly fixed on these high-stakes matches.