Kazakh Junior Chess Star Takes Gold at International Tournament

Kazakhstan’s Chess Federation has announced that young Kazakh chess talent Alimzhan Zhауynbai, 11, claimed the gold medal at the international chess festival in Fujairah, UAE.

Zhауynbai scored 8 out of 9 points, finishing first among 250 participants in the Youth-Open tournament for players rated under 2200, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Earlier this year, he won silver in the under-11 category at the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival.

Kazakh juniors also competed in the Masters and Superstars tournaments, held separately from the Youth-Open event. In the Masters, 14 Kazakh players took part, with Aldiyar Zhауynbai and Danis Kuandyquly achieving international master norms. The top prizes in the Superstars section were claimed by Pranav Venkatesh (India), Brandon Jacobson (US), and Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara (Mexico).

“The success of our juniors in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah are preparing them for upcoming autumn tournaments. Ahead are the U8-U12 Cadet World Championships in Almaty, the U14-U18 Youth Championships in Albania, the Asian School Championships in Mongolia, and the U9-U17 Rapid and Blitz World Championships in Türkiye. Alimzhan and his teammates are determined to deliver top results,” Kazchess said.

Earlier this year, another Kazakh team earned bronze at the World Youth Chess Olympiad in Colombia, underscoring Kazakhstan’s growing prominence in youth chess competitions.