A 17-year-old student from Aktau became a finalist of the "Chess Caravan"

"The Chess Caravan", which in less than two months identified the best intellectuals in 17 regions, arrived in Aktau on November 2nd. A festive event was held for this occasion, and a regional branch of the chess federation was opened. The mayor of Aktau, Ulugbek Tnaliev, became its chairman.

"This year, many cultural and sports events are taking place in our region. One of them is the World School Team Chess Championship, supported by the chess federation, which took place in Aktau. This large-scale event, in which more than 400 players from 53 countries participated, helped increase the intellectual potential of students not only from Kazakhstan but from all over the world. Also, in the recent city championship, about 300 teenagers aged 7 to 17 were able to test their chess skills," said mayor Ulugbek Tnaliev.

Oleg Ryabchenko, an advisor to the president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, noted that the idea of the "Chess Caravan" originated in Aktau.

"After the World Schools Team Championship, the chess federation began implementing the 'Chess Caravan' project. We believe that with the arrival of the caravan and the appointment of a new chairman of the KFS branch, the game will gain new momentum in its development in the region," added Oleg Ryabchenko.

After the opening ceremony, a blitz semi-final took place in the branded mobile yurt. 20 people who passed the preliminary regional selection, with an ELO rating of up to 2000, participated. Three blitz winners from 11 rounds advanced to the grand final, which will be held on November 10 in Turkestan. Among them:

1st place - Murat Omarov (100,000 tenge);
2nd place - Azamat Dinmuhammed (50,000 tenge);
3rd place - Aidana Kushbai (30,000 tenge).

"I have been playing chess since I was seven. Currently, I am a candidate for the title of sports master and I want to become a FIDE master. My preparation will also depend on the opening my opponents will demonstrate in the grand final," said the 17-year-old finalist Murat Omarov.

Moreover, Nuras Amangeldi was awarded in the "Best Player under 16" category and received a cash certificate worth 30,000 tenge. In advance, 10 amateur chess players participated in a simultaneous exhibition with Edgar Mamedov, a FIDE master from Mangistau region and a silver medalist of the team world championship.

After Aktau, the caravan will head to Turkestan, where the grand final will take place on November 10. The winners can expect a cash prize provided by the project's general partner, Freedom Broker.

The winner will receive five million tenge, the second-place holder will get 2.5 million tenge, and the third-place holder will get one million tenge.