WSTC-2025: The World Schools Team Chess Championship kicks off in the U.S. - Six teams from Kazakhstan join the race for gold, DKNews.kz reports.
On August 3, 2025, in the historic town of Alexandria, Virginia - just steps from Washington, D.C. - one of the most anticipated chess events of the year officially began: the FIDE World Schools Team Championship 2025. A total of 55 teams from 48 countries are competing, and Kazakhstan is making a major statement by fielding six diverse squads.
Kazakhstan on the global chess map
Held on the picturesque campus of Episcopal High School, the tournament brings together 286 young players aiming to claim the title of world champion. Running through August 6, the event showcases Kazakhstan’s depth of talent - from elite teams packed with experience to bright-eyed newcomers making their international debut.
Kazakhstan's teams were seeded based on the average rapid rating of their top four players (not including substitutes). Here’s where they stand:
- RPMS (Almaty) – the top seed and tournament favorite: Edgar Mamedov (2299), Imangali Akhilbai (2292), Zarina Nurgaliyeva (2152), Alihan Daulet (2173), Adizhan Yesengali (1989), and team captain Sayat Yegenberdiyev – average 2229.
- SEED Educational Complex (Astana) – a strong capital city squad: Danis Kuandykuly (2156), Aldiyar Sailaubai (2011), Arsen Aitmukhanov (1762), Ailyn Zarkym (1905), captain Kuanish Suleimen – 1959.
- RPMS-2 (Astana) – the second squad from the renowned Republican Physics and Mathematics School: Islam Ayten (2045), Vladimir Savitsky (1977), Ernur Akhmediyar (1802), Madina Momin (1792), Kamila Dukembayeva (1434), captain Botakoz Zhalgasbayeva – 1904.
- RPMS-1 (Astana) – a younger lineup: Yasmina Alemanova (1886), Miras Khasenov (1765), Arystan Zhanabayev (1684), Aysara Tuyenbayeva (unrated), Aset Munara (1614), captain Rakhath Kuanishev – 1737.
- O. A. Zholdasbekov IT Lyceum No. 9 (Shymkent) – a dynamic regional team: Bekzathan Sazantaev (1452), Akhmediyar Sugraliev (1667), Alihan Zhanibek (1442), Nursaya Zhumabek (1642), Aldiyar Rysbaiuly (1519), captain Zeynep Sultanbek – 1570.
- D. A. Kunaev Gymnasium (Aktobe) – the youngest participants: Aldiyar Asylbek (unrated), Amanbek Otetileu (1813), Nurasyl Sapartileuov (1582), Nurgul Baurzhan (1446), captain Baurzhan Zhanashov – 1560.
Why the wide range in rankings?
The reason is simple: Kazakhstan held separate qualifying tournaments for U18 (born 2007 or later) and U12 (born 2013 or later) age groups. But in Alexandria, there is no age division. Including girls and younger players is encouraged, but not required. The official guidelines state:
"Where possible, a team shall include both boys and girls, and at least two players born in 2012 or later."
India and other heavyweights on the horizon
One of the main threats to Kazakhstan’s top seed comes from Velammal MHS School (Chennai, India), boasting an impressive 2210 team average. Among its roster are International Masters Aswath S. (rapid 2369/classical 2500) and Ilamparthi A. R. (2358/2515). Ilamparthi recently finished 11th in Ust-Kamenogorsk, while Aswath made headlines in Europe, winning the 10th Noisiel Open in France and the Grenke Open in Germany with a stunning 2779 performance rating.
Other top-10 contenders include:
- University High School (Irvine, USA) – 2007
- State Gymnasium No 1 (Riga, Latvia) – 1998
- Kantonsschule Alpenquai (Lucerne, Switzerland) – 1970
- Gymnázium Grösslingová 18 (Bratislava, Slovakia) – 1958
- Hampton (London, UK) – 1946
- The Harker School (San Jose, USA) – 1944
Tournament play is heating up
The tournament format is a four-vs-four team rapid game with a 45+10 time control (45 minutes per player with a 10-second increment per move). There will be eight rounds in total. After just two rounds, eleven teams - including three from Kazakhstan - are undefeated.
Round 3 will feature a thrilling intra-squad match between RFMSH (Almaty) and RFMSH-2 (Astana). SEED Educational Complex will face off against Wellington College (New Zealand), who previously defeated Kazakhstan’s youngest team from Aktobe.
A symbolic opening move
The opening ceremony featured FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, ISCF and KazChess President Timur Turlov, and Barbados’ Minister for Education Transformation Chad Blackman - a seasoned diplomat and former UN ambassador. Dvorkovich and Turlov made the ceremonial first move in the match between RFMSH (Almaty) and Giersings Realskole (Odense, Denmark).
“Today we’re launching more than just a competition. We’re creating an event that unites some of the brightest and most talented young minds from around the world. Where children from different countries and cultures play by the same rules and speak the same language - the language of chess.
Chess is more than a sport. It’s a way of thinking. It teaches discipline, decision-making, and the ability to see the consequences of your actions. It’s a game that builds the mindset every person needs in life, in their career, and in society.
I say this not only as the head of the federation but also as a father whose children play chess” Timur Turlov, President of the International School Chess Federation
Looking ahead: Smart Moves Summit 2025
From August 4 to 5, Alexandria will also host the Smart Moves Summit 2025 - an international conference on the role of chess in transforming education. Speakers include:
- Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Latvia), FIDE Deputy Chair
- Timur Turlov, President of KazChess and ISCF
- Jerry Nash (USA), Chair of the FIDE “Chess in Education” Commission
- Robert Katende (Uganda), founder of the SOM chess academy and inspiration for the Disney film Queen of Katwe
- Psychologist José Francisco “Pep” Suárez (Spain)
- Jenny Ingber (USA), President of Chess in the Schools (NYC)
Follow the action
Tournament standings, schedules, and full match results can be followed in real time on the official Chess-Results page:
FIDE WSTC-2025 – Chess-Results
Team Kazakhstan is off to a confident start, full of determination and energy. With six intense rounds still to go, fans can expect high-stakes drama, breakout performances, and perhaps the emergence of chess’s next global stars.
