Nearly 200 young players competed for the titles. Kazakhstan’s Dastan Bakytbek won the under-14 competition at the international Maralsai 2026 children’s chess tournament, while Uzbekistan’s Shokhjakhon Sidikov finished first in the under-10 category, DKNews.kz reports.
The tournament, held for the 20th time, brought together players aged six to 14 from five countries and offered a prize fund of KZT 3 million, according to the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.
Maralsai tournament marks its 20th edition
Maralsai 2026 was held from August 18 to 24 at the Maralsai recreation complex in Talgar District of Almaty Region.
The venue is located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau within Ile-Alatau National Park.
The tournament is held for the Cup of Flyura Khasanova, the 1983 World Junior Chess Champion in the girls’ under-20 category.
Khasanova is a Kazakh chess player, Woman Grandmaster and FIDE International Arbiter. She represented Kazakhstan at five Chess Olympiads:
- 1992
- 1994
- 1996
- 2000
- 2004
She received the title of FIDE International Arbiter in 2001 and served as chief arbiter of this year’s Maralsai tournament.
Kazakhstan Chess Federation Vice President Marat Yessenov highlighted both the history of the competition and Khasanova’s role in Kazakh chess.
«Maralsai is the sixth stage of this year’s Kazakhstan Children’s Cup and a tournament with a long history. It is especially symbolic that a living legend of Kazakh chess, Flyura Khasanova, is here with us. In 1983 in Mexico, she became the world champion among girls under 20, and today she continues to work actively in chess as a coach and international arbiter. I would also like to highlight the tournament venue itself. Maralsai is a beautiful, picturesque corner of our country, where the organizers managed to create comfortable conditions and a very warm atmosphere for children, parents and coaches. During the tournament, I met with parents, coaches and arbiters and heard positive feedback from them about the organization of the competition,» Yessenov said.
Players from five countries compete
Nearly 200 young chess players between the ages of six and 14 took part in the tournament.
Alongside Kazakhstan, young players represented:
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
The competition lasted eight days and was also an important stage of preparation for the final of the Kazakhstan Children’s Cup.
Khasanova said the increasing strength of very young players was particularly noticeable.
«For eight days, there was a very interesting competition here. For the panel of arbiters, it is especially important that the tournament was held at a high level, without complaints or appeals. In the under-10 category, there were many six-year-old children, and some of them already have experience competing in Kazakhstan championships. Today, the level of children’s chess has grown so much that six-year-olds can compete on equal terms with much older opponents and beat them. This is very encouraging. For many participants, Maralsai became another important stage of preparation for the final of the Kazakhstan Children’s Cup. I hope this experience will help them become stronger and, in the future, represent Kazakhstan with distinction at world championships and win medals,» Khasanova said.
Dastan Bakytbek wins under-14 tournament
Two individual competitions were held over nine rounds using the Swiss system with a 60+30 time control — 60 minutes per game with an additional 30 seconds for every move from the first move.
Tournament A featured players under the age of 14.
Thirteen-year-old Almaty player Dastan Bakytbek took first place. Arsen Aitmukhanov, also from Almaty, finished second, while third place went to Aliriza Sharafiyev of Shymkent, winner of the third stage of the Children’s Cup.
Bakytbek said the competition was challenging but remembered Maralsai for more than chess alone.
«The opponents were strong, and it was not easy to play, but I managed to win. I have been playing chess since I was six. Last year, I finished second at the Kazakhstan under-12 championship, and earlier I became Kazakhstan’s under-8 champion. I really enjoyed this tournament. There was a good atmosphere here, and it was interesting not only at the chessboard. In our free time, football tournaments, flash mobs and gatherings around the campfire were organized for us, and participants were congratulated on their birthdays. That is why Maralsai will be remembered not only for the games but also for the entire atmosphere of the tournament,» Bakytbek said.
Uzbekistan’s Shokhjakhon Sidikov wins under-10 title
Tournament B brought together players under the age of 10.
Uzbekistan’s Shokhjakhon Sidikov claimed first place.
Shymkent chess player Aiaru Nurbol finished second, while Ali Atnash of Atyrau Region, who had already won three stages of the series, took third place.
In the team standings:
- Shymkent — first place
- Almaty — second place
- Atyrau Region — third place
The total prize fund for the sixth stage amounted to KZT 3 million.
Children’s Cup final to take place in Astana
Maralsai 2026 was the sixth stage of the Kazakhstan Children’s Cup.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Kazakhstan Chess Federation has organized the junior competition alongside the multi-stage Kazakhstan Cup for adults.
The 2026 Children’s Cup consists of six stages followed by a final.
The decisive competition is scheduled to take place in Astana from December 1 to 13.
Why Maralsai matters for Kazakhstan’s young players
The tournament combines international competition with a development pathway for some of Kazakhstan’s youngest chess players.
Its international field gives children experience against opponents from other chess schools, while the Children’s Cup structure allows strong performers to progress through several stages toward the season-ending final.
The participation of six-year-old players also illustrates how early competitive chess development now begins in Kazakhstan.
For the strongest participants, tournaments such as Maralsai can become part of a longer path from junior national competitions to international championships.
The 20th edition ended with Kazakhstan’s Dastan Bakytbek winning the under-14 title, Uzbekistan’s Shokhjakhon Sidikov taking the under-10 trophy and Shymkent finishing first in the team standings.
