Emerging Governing Body Coronates 2025 Chess Titans in Astana
With a Blitz of Brilliance: 14-Year-Old Yelnaz Kaliyakhmet and GM Kazybek Nogerbek Seal National Chess Titles!
📸 Credit: Kazchess.kz
Astana witnessed a whirlwind of chess moves as 14-year-old prodigy Yelnaz Kaliyakhmet and grandmaster Kazybek Nogerbek, 21, claimed national titles at the 2025 Kazakhstan Chess Championship. The jamboree unfolded between May 20 and June 2, with the buzz resonating all around the city.
Yelnaz, often known as Elnaz Kaliyahmet, penned a new chapter in Kazakhstan's chess annals by snatching the crown of youngest national women's champion. Dominating the tournament early on, she sealed her victory in the final showdown against Amina Kairbekova. Yelnaz finished with an staggering 10 points out of 13, climbing 87.6 rating points and outpacing a robust competition.
In the runner-up spot, we find Zarina Nurgaliyeva, 15, while Meruert Kamalidenova, previous champ from 2021 and 2022, snatched the bronze.
The men's division saw heated tension as GM Nogerbek won his first national title following a nail-biting playoff against GM Denis Makhnev. With both players scoring nine points in classical games, a rapid-fire tiebreak series was in order. The title eventually went to Nogerbek in the final Armageddon game.
Aldiyar Ansat finished third, with Zhandos Agmanov rounding out the top four.
According to the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, the championship displayed an impressive level of competition and a fresh wave of talent in both sections. Yelnaz's breakthrough is a significant turning point for the country's chess history, while the men's section showed no signs of giving up until the last move.
Yelnaz Kaliyakhmet: A Blazing Chess Star on the Rise
Many have sat up and taken notice of this sensational teenager. Her success at the young age of 14 affirms her potential and unfailing dedication to the game. In 2025, she became the country's youngest national women's champion, securing a perfect score of 10 points in 14 games[1][2].
Furthermore, her achievement broke a 20-year-old record[1], cementing her place as the youngest ever women's champion in Kazakhstan. Yelnaz is a proud holder of the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title - a testament to her prowess in the game.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yelnaz_Kaliyakhmet[2] https://chess-results.com/tnr728030.aspx?lan=en&art=0&rd=2&flag=42¬ice=27&tour=451197&evid=20250520032
Sports enthusiasts around the world celebrate the achievements of Yelnaz Kaliyakhmet, a 14-year-old chess prodigy from Kazakhstan, as she clinched the title of the National Women's Champion. Her victory marked a significant milestone in the country's chess history, setting a new record as the youngest ever women's champion in Kazakhstan.
