A branch of the chess academy founded by five-time world champion and Grandmaster Zhansaya Abdumalik has officially opened in Zhezkazgan. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Yerbol Myrzabosynov, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan; Dastan Rysbekov, Governor of Ulytau region; Nurakhmet Nuriev, Chairman of Kazakhmys Corporation; and Berik Balgabayev, Advisor to the President of the International Chess Federation.

This branch is the largest chess academy in the country, covering a total area of 900 square meters. Around 1,000 young chess players aged 5 to 18 from the region will train at the academy.

«I am pleased to be here in Ulytau, the cradle of our nation and I sincerely congratulate everyone on the opening of the academy. The Head of State places special emphasis on the development of sports, which allows our athletes to consistently achieve high results on the international stage. Kazakhstan has over 8,000 chess clubs, with over 270,000 children actively playing the game. Zhansaya Abdumalik is an international grandmaster who has achieved remarkable success in chess. Beyond her own career, she actively promotes the sport among young people, creating new opportunities for aspiring chess players. I am confident that academies like this will train athletes capable of excelling at world tournaments», - said Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov.

At the ceremony, Dastan Rysbekov Governor of Ulytau region expressed confidence that the region will produce prominent chess players and national champions representing Ulytau both domestically and internationally.

The Zhezkazgan Chess Academy was built under a memorandum of cooperation between Kazakhmys Corporation and the Ulytau regional administration, highlighting the importance of collaboration between business and government in developing sports and education in Kazakhstan.

«Opening the academy in Zhezkazgan, rather than in the capital or Almaty, demonstrates that Kazakhmys Corporation places a strong emphasis on socially responsible initiatives», - noted Berik Balgabayev, Advisor to the President of the International Chess Federation.

As part of the opening event, the first international youth team chess tournament, the KAZAKHMYS YOUTH TEAM CHESS CUP, was held, featuring over 100 young chess players from Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.

The tournament results were as follows:

1st place: Zhansaya Abdumalik Chess Academy Team 1 – Mark Smirnov, Danis Kuandykuly, Rizat Ulan, Maria Kholyavko.

2nd place: Central Chess Club – Kaissa, Astana – Alimzhan and Aldiyar Zhauynbay, Arlan Mirzhanov, Aknur Mamakova.

3rd place: Republican Center for Olympic Chess Training, Minsk, Belarus – Matvey Savelev, Damir Bulgak, Pavel Pukh, Nika Venskaya.

4th place: Shatranj Chess School team.

5th place: «Vostok».Moscow Comprehensive Sports School of Olympic Reserve

Winners of the tournament received trophies, certificates and cash prizes, with a total prize fund of KZT 8 mln.