On January 20 in Turkistan, the 2026 Kazakhstan Chess Championship for children and youth under 18 began. Ten days of competition in classical chess, rapid, and blitz will determine the country’s new champions and form the core of the national teams for major international events, DKNews.kz reports.
Kazakhstan Chess Federation President Timur Turlov said the tournament is one of the most important selection events of the season.
"In 2026, Turkistan is becoming a true center of attraction for chess attention. Soon, the headquarters of the Turkic Peoples’ Chess Association will be located here, and right now the first and perhaps most important championship of the season for children and youth is taking place. This is the main national qualifier. It is here that it will be decided which young talents will join the national team and represent Kazakhstan at the year’s biggest world tournaments. The competition is expected to be very intense, which makes it especially interesting to follow. For the Federation, this is also another test of readiness to implement the large-scale tasks set by the President of our country. 2025 brought Kazakhstan a record number of medals. However, competition in chess is growing, and now it is important for us not only to win, but to maintain the leadership we have achieved in recent years," said Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.
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1,052 young players - boys and girls compete separately, moving up is allowed
A total of 1,052 young chess players are taking part. The competitions are held separately for boys and girls. Participation in older age categories is allowed.
Age groups are determined by year of birth:
- under 6 (U6) - born in 2020 or later;
- under 8 (U8) - born in 2018 or later;
- under 10 (U10) - born in 2016 or later;
- under 12 (U12) - born in 2014 or later;
- under 14 (U14) - born in 2012 or later;
- under 16 (U16) - born in 2010 or later;
- under 18 (U18) - born in 2008 or later.
Format - 9-round Swiss system, with classical first, then rapid and blitz
All championships are played in a 9-round Swiss system:
- January 20-27 - classical 90+30 (90 minutes per game, with 30 seconds added per move starting from move one), January 24 - rest day;
- January 28-29 - rapid 15+10;
- January 30 - blitz 3+2.
Prize fund - 15,120,000 tenge, with 1,000,000 tenge per age group
Winners and prize-winners will receive medals, diplomas, and cash awards. The total prize fund is 15,120,000 tenge. In each age group, the prize fund of 1,000,000 tenge is distributed as follows (all amounts in tenge):
| Place | Classical | Rapid | Blitz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 250,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| 2nd | 150,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 3rd | 100,000 | 70,000 | 70,000 |
2025 record - 122 medals, and the fight in most categories will be even sharper
In 2025, Kazakh juniors and schoolchildren won 122 medals at the World, Asian, and Western Asian Championships (52 gold, 32 silver, and 38 bronze). That is why, just like last year, in most age categories it is natural that winners and medalists of those tournaments will compete against each other again. This makes the competition especially intense and victory particularly meaningful.
Why some stars will not play classical - but may appear in rapid and blitz
Many athletes, even some of the very youngest, are already part of the adult national teams or are firmly knocking on their doors. That is why a group of the strongest players will not play the classical event in Turkistan. Among them are: the winner of the 2025 Kazakhstan Adult Blitz Championship, 11-year-old WFM Alanna Berikkyzy (2180); the 2023 (O10) and 2025 (O12) World Champion FM Danis Kuandykuly (2387), who turns 13 on January 22; 13-year-old IM Mark Smirnov (2425), World Champion 2024 (O12) and 2025 (O14); the trio of 15-year-olds - 2025 World Champion (O16) GM Edgar Mamedov (2478), 2025 World Vice-Champion (O16) IM Sauat Nurgaliev (2423), and the 2025 Kazakhstan Women’s Adult Champion WIM Elnaz Kaliakhmet (2330); 16-year-old WIM Zarina Nurgalieva (2286); and the 17-year-olds IM Aldiyar Ansat (2470), IM Daniyal Sapenov (2465), IM Ergali Suleimen (2408), and FM Miras Asylov (2405).
However, some of them - for example, Danis, Mark, and Sauat - will play rapid and blitz...
Key intrigue and favorites by age group
Under 6 (U6)
At the international level, this category is not included in official competitions. That does not prevent the most talented unrated six-year-olds from competing with older players.
Under 8 (U8)
Among girls, the rating favorites are Narmina Asylbekkyzy (classical rating - 1541) and Amina Mukanova (1527). Among boys - Abdul-Malik Kairat (1649), the 2025 World Champion among schoolchildren (O7). But favorite status is not a guarantee of success - it must be proven in every game.
Under 10 (U10)
On January 21, Alisha Bisalieva (1719) turns 9. She is the 2025 absolute World Champion: World Champion in classical, rapid, and blitz (G8), World Champion among schoolchildren in classical (G9), and also the World Cup winner (G8). However, in the new category she has very serious opponents - such as Maryam Taubasar (1692), Aiaru Nurbol (1644), Amalia Edresheva (1618), and Azaliya Balakanova (1604).
Among boys it is even harder to single out just one favorite: CM Rizat Ulan (2085), bronze medalist of the Asian Championship 2025 (O10); Nurmukhamed Elemes (2031); Nurali Nurshin (2028); and Nurislam Sultanhan (1983), the champion and vice-champion of the 2025 World School Championships (O9). Against this background, even Adinur Adilbek (1928), the 2025 World Champion (O8), does not stand out strongly.
Under 12 (U12)
Among girls there is a clear rating favorite - WCM Zhansaya Sholpanbek (2058), as well as the 2025 Asian Champion (G10) Milana Filippova (1929). However, WCM Adiya Mamesh (1739), Botagoz Zhylkozha (1720), Malika Ziyadin (1658), Symbat Zhetpis (1657), or the finalist of the Kazakhstan Children’s Cup 2025 Nursaya Zhumabek (1613) are unlikely to give them first place without a fight.
Among boys the competition is just as tough: 2025 World Champion among schoolchildren (O11) FM Alimzhan Zhauynbay (2090), CM Nurali Bolashakov (2085), Rauan Bakhyt (2049), Ramazan Tolegen (2037), 2025 Kazakhstan Champion (O10) Alikhan Nazarbek (1978), CM Arlan Mirzhanov (1955), and CM Amirzhan Anetov (1939), the 2025 World Champion in rapid and blitz (O10).
Under 14 (U14)
The girls’ field is strong: Daliya Diaskyzy (1884), World School Vice-Champion (G13) WFM Khanzada Amanzhol (1874), Aknur Mamakova (1870), Akerke Moldagali (1833), as well as the sensational winner of the Kazakhstan Children’s Cup 2025 Medina Zhakenova (1629) and the bronze medalist of that tournament Bibisara Erzhan (1745).
Among boys, the fight for the title will clearly be led by the defending champion CM Alisher Abdsattar (2175), the bronze medalist of the Asian School Championship 2025 (O13) and winner of the Kazakhstan Children’s Cup 2025 CM Aldiyar Zharas (2122), CM Suleiman Akhmet (2047), and many others.
Under 16 (U16)
At the end of June and in July last year, Adriana Sermukhamedova, who previously played under the surname Minnullina, increased her rating by 294 points across three tournaments in Spain - from 1877 to 2161 - and also earned the WFM title. Now, with a rating of 2123, she is a strong irritant for well-known competitors such as Malika Zhapparbekova (2023), Asiya Asylkhan (2014), Ailin Zarkym (1894), and WFM Diana Tynyshtyk (1852).
Among boys, similarly strong competition is expected: two-time winner (2023, 2024) and 2025 finalist of the Kazakhstan Children’s Cup FM Akylzhan Meirkhanuly (2319), FM Nazar Talgatov (2299), FM Aldiyar Zhauynbay (2282). This list could go on...
Under 18 (U18)
Last year’s champion WFM Zhaniya Nauanova (1911) will defend her title against challenges from 14-year-old WFM Maria Kholyavko (2165) and WFM Aiaru Altynbek (2151), as well as 16-year-old WCM Yasmina Alemanova (2036) and WFM Nursulu Orazalina (1942).
Among boys, the main contenders for prize places are FM Artem Bogdanov (2402), FM Imangali Akylbay (2362), FM Alan Petukhov (2322), FM Ernur Amangeldy (2288), FM Asman Bayantas (2244), FM Inayat Bolat (2288), Kair Beristenov (2227), CM Alikhan Daulet (2203), and FM Sultanbeibarys Dumanuly (2192).
How the international spots are allocated - World Cup, World Championships, and Asian Championship
The classical chess champions will represent Kazakhstan at the World Cup (FIDE World Cup Under 8-12 2026, June 15-28, Batumi, Georgia) and the World Championships for ages 8-12 (FIDE World Cadets Chess Championship 2026, November 10-17, Batumi, Georgia), as well as the World Youth Championships for ages 14-18 (FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026, June 14-27, Montesilvano, Italy). The runners-up will compete at the Asian Youth Chess Championship 2026.
Players who already have a personal right to participate in these tournaments as 2025 medalists do not compete for qualifying places.
Players who take other prize places earn the right to participate in international events such as the World Championships for ages 7-17 (FIDE World U7-U17 Championships 2026, October 25-November 5, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil), the Western Asia Youth & Juniors Chess Championship 2026, and the Asian Schools Chess Championship 2026.
