International grandmaster Zhansaya Abdumalik has become president of the Almaty Chess Federation.

Almaty chess

The new organization received accreditation after it was recalled by the Almaty Chess Union. The federation will develop chess culture in the city.

"The plans of the federation until 2024 include the development of four main areas: popular sports among citizens, chess in school education, elite sports, as well as support for veterans."

Zhansaya Abdumalik, 22, is the first Kazakh and Central Asian woman to be awarded the title of men's grandmaster.

In the next three years, there are plans to organize new regular sporting events - open simultaneous play sessions, tournaments between teams from Almaty and other cities, and the creation of new chess zones in parks, courtyards, hospitals, and other public places.

In addition, there will be rooms for chess practice in Almaty schools. Special training programs and manuals for teachers and students will be developed, and teams will be formed to participate in the school league.

"The practice of introducing chess classes in secondary schools has long been applied in Great Britain, the USA, and Turkey, and Armenia was the first country in the world to introduce chess into the compulsory school program. It will create favorable conditions for Almaty schoolchildren to further develop intellectually." 

Developing elite sports helps to support children and youth sports, form the national chess team, and, win championships in Kazakhstan, Asia, the world, and in the Olympics’ under 16 category.