Kazybek Nogerbek and Elnaz Kaliyahmet emerged as the winners of the 2025 Kazakhstan Championship, each claiming their maiden national titles. Notably, both champions completed their tournaments unbeaten.
The 2025 Kazakhstan Championships (Open and Women’s sections) took place in the capital, Astana, from May 21 to June 1. Both competitions, featuring a total prize fund of 20 million tenge (approximately USD 39,150), were 14-player round-robin tournaments played under classical time control.
The Open event turned into an exciting race between the two top seeds, Kazybek Nogerbek and Denis Makhnev. Both started strong and seized the lead early on, but in Round 8, Makhnev suffered a setback, losing to IM Abilmansur Abdilkhair and falling behind.
Heading into the final (13th) round, Nogerbek held a half-point lead over his main rival. He opted for a quick draw, while Makhnev scored a crucial win over FM Yerlan Tleukhanov, tying for first place.
A tiebreaker was played to determine the champion, where Kazybek Nogerbek ultimately prevailed in the decisive Armageddon game to capture the title. IM Aldiyar Ansat completed the podium, taking bronze.
In the Women’s event, 14-year-old Elnaz Kaliyahmet delivered an impressive performance, scoring 10/14 to finish clear first. She became the youngest champion in the history of Kazakhstan, breaking a record that had stood since 1998.
Zaroma Nurgalieva gave the young champion a strong challenge but, but lost two games at the start and finished half a point behind Kaliyahmet. Top seed Meruert Kamalidenova secured the bronze medal.
Photos: Kazakhstan Chess Federation