On August 3, 2025, the Shymbulak mountain resort will transform into a chess arena. At 12:00 PM, a double round-robin blitz tournament will kick off at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, DKnews.kz reports.
DKnews.kz
The Kazakhstan Chess Federation has gathered global chess stars and the nation’s strongest players for this unique high-altitude showdown in the Zailiyskiy Alatau. Mountains, intellect, and adrenaline — chess in the clouds is set to redefine the summer.
DKnews.kz
Eight players will compete in lightning-fast blitz matches:
- GM Alexander Grischuk (31.10.1983, Russia): Three-time World Blitz Champion (2006, 2012, 2015), finalist of the Candidates Tournaments in 2007 and 2011, and participant in the 2013, 2018, and 2020 Candidates. A two-time Olympiad winner (2000, 2002) and four-time World Team Champion with the Russian national team. Peak classical rating: 2810 (December 2014). Current rating: 2667.
- GM Parham Maghsoodloo (11.08.2000, Iran): 2018 World U20 Champion. Winner of the 2023 Asian Games with Team Iran. Three-time Iranian Champion (2017, 2018, 2021). Peak classical rating: 2742 (December 2023). Current: 2695.
- GM Volodar Murzin (18.07.2006, Russia): 2024 World Rapid Champion and quarterfinalist in the 2024 World Blitz. Silver medalist at the 2023 World U18 Championship. Peak and current classical rating: 2671 (July 2025).
- GM Narayanan Sunilduth Lyna (10.01.1998, India): Bronze medalist at the 2019 Asian Blitz Championship. World Cup 2019 participant. Member of India’s national team at the 2022 Chess Olympiad. Peak classical rating: 2695 (March 2024). Current: 2597.
- GM Kazybek Nogerbek (13.05.2004, Kazakhstan): 2024 World U20 Champion. Silver medalist at the 2022 World U18 Championship. 2025 Kazakhstan Champion. Peak classical rating: 2544 (April 2025). Current: 2540.
- GM Denis Makhnev (20.02.2000, Kazakhstan): Bronze medalist at the 2023 Asian Blitz Championship. Two-time Kazakhstan Champion (2021, 2024). Peak classical rating: 2551 (August 2024). Current: 2535.
- IM Aldiyar Ansat (15.07.2008, Kazakhstan): Silver medalist at the 2024 World U18 and bronze at the 2023 World U18 Championship. 2023 Kazakhstan Champion. Peak and current classical rating: 2493 (July 2025).
- IM Meruert Kamalidenova (03.08.2005, Kazakhstan): Reached the Round of 16 at the 2025 Women’s World Cup. Bronze medalist at the 2022 World U20 Championship. Member of the Kazakh women’s team — silver medalist at the 2024 Chess Olympiad and World Champion 2023. Two-time Kazakhstan Champion (2021, 2022). Peak rating: 2427 (April 2022). Current: 2323.
DKnews.kz
Prize Fund – $8,500:
- 1st place: $2,500
- 2nd place: $2,000
- 3rd place: $1,500
- 4th place: $1,200
- 5th place: $800
- 6th place: $500
In the Zailiyskiy Alatau, where snowy peaks evoke the importance of wise decisions, Shymbulak becomes a stage for chess brilliance. Super grandmasters, world-class stars, and Kazakhstan’s finest will face off in blitz — where every move is as sharp and swift as a gust of mountain wind.
Grischuk, Maghsoodloo, and others will give interviews, sharing secrets of their craft. Chess at altitude is more than a game — it’s a fusion of nature’s wisdom and human intellect. This event promises to be a spectacle — because blitz is all about speed and emotion!
