The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships 2024 kicked off in the #Kazakh capital on Aug. 1 with a spectacular opening ceremony.

This event marked the beginning of an exciting week of world-class chess competitions, celebrating the game’s rich heritage and future, reported the International Chess Federation (#FIDE) press service on Aug. 1.

🏆Seven-year-old Abdul-Malik Kairat of Astana won the Open U7 championship in the 2025 #FIDE World School Chess Championship in Vrnjačka Banja, #Serbia, after defeating Om Esh Gottumukala of India in a crucial fifth-round match and finishing with a perfect eight points.

🥇Four gold medals were won by Kazakhstan's youthful stars, including Artyom Bogdanov (Open U17), Alimzhan Zhauynbay (Open U11), and Alisha Bissaliyeva (Girls U9). Along with winning three silvers and a bronze, the country led the 43 participant federations in medals.

This victory highlights Kazakhstan's growing stature in the world of chess.

Kazakh Grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva has entered the world’s top 10, rising to ninth place in the latest #FIDE women’s rankings.

She gained 19 rating points after a strong showing at the 2026 Tata Steel #Chess Challengers in Wijk aan Zee. China’s Hou Yifan remains world No. 1.

♟️Bibisara Assaubayeva placed second at the #FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, missing the world title match by just 0.5 points after drawing with Divya Deshmukh in the final round.

Vaishali Rameshbabu won the tournament with 8.5/14, defeating Kateryna Lagno, and will now challenge reigning champion Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Championship.

Photo credit: FIDE