Kazakhstan Set to Welcome a New International Master in Chess, DKNews.kz reports.
Kazakhstan’s chess scene is gaining new momentum. Amina Kairbekova, a 20-year-old player from Astana, delivered a standout performance at the Marienbad Open 2026 international chess festival, winning the silver medal in the main tournament and completing her third International Master (IM) norm.
Silver Medal and a Major Rating Boost
Competing in the strongest Tournament A, Kairbekova scored 6 points out of 9. She claimed six wins and finished three games as draws, securing second place overall — just 1.5 points behind the champion.
Her impressive run resulted in a rating increase of 30.8 points, bringing her Elo to 2348. But the most valuable achievement was undoubtedly the completion of her third IM norm, a crucial step toward earning the prestigious title.
One Final Step Toward the IM Title
Kairbekova had previously achieved her first two IM norms at:
- Paracin 2022 (Open A, Serbia)
- SixDays Budapest September 2025 (Hungary)
The IM title will be officially confirmed at an upcoming meeting of the FIDE Presidential Council, provided the player reaches the required 2400 rating threshold. With her current rating at 2348, Amina now needs a final push in upcoming tournaments.
A Rising Star of Kazakh Chess
Born on January 19, 2006, Amina recently celebrated her 20th birthday. Despite her young age, she already holds the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title.
Among her notable achievements:
- Silver medal at the 2023 Women’s World Team Chess Championship with the Kazakhstan national team
- Early victory at the 2025 Kazakhstan Women’s Championship
Her consistency and steady rise suggest that the IM title is not a question of if, but when.
Strong Field and Elite Competition
The 24th edition of Marienbad Open took place from January 17 to 24, 2026, in Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic. The festival featured six tournaments with different time controls, catering to players of various ages and levels.
The elite Tournament A, with an average rating of 2388, brought together 10 players from eight countries, including three grandmasters and one international master.
Victory went to Ukrainian grandmaster Anton Korobov (2595), who scored 7½ points. Korobov is a four-time Ukrainian champion and once reached a peak rating of 2723 in 2014.
Third place was claimed by Mongolian IM Khuyagtsogt Itgelt (2445), who also finished with 6 points but trailed Kairbekova on the Sonneborn–Berger tiebreak.
Sportsmanship That Stood Out
In Tournament C, 21-year-old Zeynep Sultanbek from Shymkent impressed with 6½ points, finishing fourth ahead of three international masters.
Her fourth-place finish earned 2,000 Czech koruna, more than the 1,000 CZK prize for the best female player. In a gesture that drew respect from fellow competitors, Sultanbek declined the women’s prize, allowing it to be awarded to another participant.
A Boost for Kazakhstan’s Chess Future
Kairbekova’s success in the Czech Republic highlights the growing strength of Kazakhstan’s women’s chess. Today, the country boasts two female grandmasters — Zhansaya Abdumalik and Bibisara Assaubayeva — while the IM title is held by Guliskhan Nakhbayeva, Dinara Saduakassova, and Meruert Kamalidenova.
With Amina Kairbekova now just a few rating points away from 2400, Kazakhstan is on the verge of welcoming another International Master — and possibly its next global chess star.
