Speaker of the Senate Maulen Ashimbayev took part in the solemn opening ceremony of the final of the “Senat Open” tournament – the Open Cup of the Chamber of the Parliament of Kazakhstan in chess. The sports competition brought together more than 3,000 chess enthusiasts across the country, DKNews.kz reports.
Welcoming the participants of the final stage of the tournament, representing all regions of the country, Maulen Ashimbayev emphasized that, following the instruction of the Head of State, special attention has been paid in recent years to the development of chess in the republic, as well as to creating conditions for learning the game at both professional and amateur levels.
Photo by N. Baibulin
“President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev attaches great importance to the popularization of chess. Within the framework of the tasks set by the Head of State, systematic work is being carried out. A comprehensive Chess Development Plan until 2027 has been developed and adopted. Today’s tournament, organized by the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan together with the Chess Federation, is also an important step in this direction. The national tournament ‘Senat Open’ is being held for the second time, and every year the interest in the games is noticeably growing. We believe that such projects play a special role in developing the intellectual potential of citizens and shaping skills that are also essential in public administration,” the Speaker of the Senate emphasized in his speech.
Photo by N. Baibulin
It should be noted that the first stage of the tournament included 20 qualifying rounds, held from February 21 to May 27 in all regions of Kazakhstan. The second stage consisted of five semifinals by region: June 25 in Turkestan (South), June 29 in Semey (Center), July 4 in Kokshetau (North), July 23 in Oral (West), and August 9 in Taldykorgan (East). A total of 215 participants reached the final.
Photo by N. Baibulin
At the same time, according to the President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation Timur Turlov, the tournament became a good opportunity both to improve the professional skills of chess players and to exchange experience and strengthen professional ties among participants.
“Our tournament is well-known, it is steadily developing and growing. This is the merit of the Senate team of the Parliament and the Chess Federation, who work responsibly on its organization, as well as of all the participants from the regions. For me, this tournament has a special meaning. It has its own style, spirit, and most importantly, a clear social mission. It has become a place for strengthening professional connections and personal friendships. It has become a platform where values close to our people live: perseverance, fair play, aspiration for leadership, and respect for elders,” said Timur Turlov.
As noted, within the framework of promoting this game, the subject “Fundamentals of Chess” was also introduced into the school curriculum this year, covering more than 60,000 students and contributing to the formation of a new culture, analytical skills, and comprehensive development in general.
