Kazakhstan’s women’s chess program has received international recognition. FIDE has awarded Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, for her contribution to promoting and supporting women’s chess worldwide, DKNews.kz reports.
The Certificate of Appreciation was presented on September 22 during the annual meeting of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, held alongside the 46th Chess Olympiad and the FIDE Congress in Samarkand.
The recognition comes as Kazakhstan’s women’s national team competes at the Olympiad as the No. 4 seed, behind only India, Georgia and China.
Dauletova has worked in Kazakh chess for more than a decade
Gulmira Dauletova has worked at the Kazakhstan Chess Federation since 2015 and has served as its Executive Director since November 2022. She is also a member of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess.
Her own competitive career includes the Woman Grandmaster title, a Chess Olympiad bronze medal, three Kazakhstan championship titles and an Asian Girls’ Championship title. She has competed at seven Chess Olympiads and three World Championships and holds FIDE’s International Organizer title.
Dauletova has also worked on chess education. She authored the “Chess” educational guide for children in grades 2–4 and developed online courses designed to teach educators and children.
The FIDE certificate was signed by Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, and Tris-Ann Richards, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess.
«In recognition of your merit in promoting and supporting women’s chess around the world», — the certificate reads.
Kazakhstan keeps prize money equal for men and women
The award puts a spotlight on a broader system that Kazakhstan has been developing around women’s chess.
Domestic competitions organized by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation provide equal prize funds for men and women. Support is also directed toward women’s national team members and promising young female players.
«In Kazakhstan, great attention is paid to women’s chess. The prize pool for the national championship is the same for men and women. Of course, this is a major achievement for us. We organize many events for women. Hosting a stage of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix once again confirms our priority. We allocate grants for the women’s national team and young talents, and we take pride in having built a wonderful support system for our girls and young women. I express my deep gratitude to the International Chess Federation for such an evaluation of my work. Special thanks go to KCF President Timur Turlov, who supports all these initiatives», — Dauletova said.
The federation’s strategy extends beyond professional competition. In March, Almaty hosted the Qazaq Queens Chess Fest 2026, organized by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation with support from the FIDE Women’s Commission. The International Women’s Day event brought together 45 female players.
Kazakhstan’s women enter the Olympiad among the top seeds
The federation can also point to results at the highest international level.
Kazakhstan’s women won silver at the 2023 World Team Championship and followed it with another silver medal at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest in 2024.
At the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Kazakhstan entered as the fourth-seeded women’s team. Only India, Georgia and China started the tournament with a higher seeding.
The current Olympiad has reinforced that status. After six rounds, Kazakhstan’s women had recorded six consecutive victories and were preparing for a major seventh-round match against China.
The country’s depth is also visible among younger players. Kazakhstan has produced a growing group of internationally competitive female chess players, including Amina Kairbekova, who completed her third International Master norm at the Marienbad Open 2026 after finishing second in the tournament’s strongest section.
Women’s chess is part of a wider development system
Kazakhstan’s approach is not limited to elite players.
The federation participates in international FIDE and Women’s Chess Commission initiatives including the Queen’s Gambit Challenge, Queens and Princesses Festival, Chess Mom, Chess for Protection, Chess Marathon and Chess4All.
At home, financial support is also being directed toward younger players. Dauletova previously said that 34 children have received annual scholarship support through Gold and Silver grant packages since 2023.
That combination — youth development, financial support, international tournaments and equal prize funds — is central to the model highlighted by Dauletova’s FIDE recognition.
Recognition comes days before the FIDE presidential election
The timing gives the award additional significance for Kazakhstan’s growing presence in international chess governance.
Kazakhstan Chess Federation President Timur Turlov is running for FIDE President, with five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand seeking the Deputy President position on the same ticket.
The election is scheduled for September 26 in Samarkand. Three presidential tickets have been registered, and each national federation represented at the FIDE General Assembly has one vote.
Turlov’s campaign has focused on institutional modernization, digital infrastructure, financial sustainability, stronger tournament standards and broader access to FIDE resources for national federations.
Against that backdrop, Dauletova’s award provides a concrete example of a Kazakhstan-based chess program receiving recognition from FIDE itself.
Her certificate is ultimately an individual honor, but the results behind it extend beyond one administrator: equal prize funds, dedicated women’s events, support for young players and a national women’s team that arrived in Samarkand as the world’s fourth seed.
We recently reported on another side of Kazakhstan’s growing international chess presence: Timur Turlov entered the race for the FIDE presidency alongside five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand.
