On April 18, 2026, AlmaU hosted the ALMAU CHESS CUP 2026 tournament, dedicated to the opening of a new chess classroom established in partnership with the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. The event became part of the university’s broader strategy to foster an intellectual environment and support talented youth.
Among the distinguished guests at the opening ceremony were Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation; Alua Nurman, Grandmaster, ranked number one in the world among girls under 20 by FIDE and among the top 25 women globally; Adiya Nurmanova, Deputy Director of the “Chess in Education” Department; Akzhunis Artykbay, University Relations Coordinator; and Timur Buldybayev, Rector of AlmaU.
“We are grateful for the support and cooperation with the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. For us, it is essential to create an environment where intellectual sports become an integral part of the educational process. The opening of the chess classroom is a step toward developing students’ strategic thinking and attracting talented youth. This space will become a place where ideas are born, games are analyzed, and a new community is formed,” noted AlmaU Rector Timur Buldybayev.
“A chess space is not merely a classroom, but a living environment for communication, analysis, and growth. Here, students will be able to meet daily, discuss games, and develop their competencies. It is especially important that such initiatives become a tradition: AlmaU is hosting this tournament for the third time, and not every university is ready to offer multiple grants. This is a truly meaningful contribution to the development of youth and chess culture in Kazakhstan,” emphasized Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Federation.
She also highlighted that chess tournaments at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge have a long-standing tradition and expressed confidence that a similar legacy will take shape at AlmaU.
The opening of the chess classroom was marked by a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony and a friendly blitz match. The new space will serve as a hub for students and school pupils to analyze games, refine their skills, and cultivate a culture of intellectual exchange.
The tournament brought together more than 50 participants, including graduates of schools and colleges. Grandmaster Alua Nurman addressed the players, noting that she herself had participated in the tournament several years ago.
“It is especially inspiring to see this initiative continue to grow and become a tradition. Entering university is an important stage in life, and I sincerely wish all participants to approach it with seriousness and inspiration,” she said.
The competition was held under the Swiss system. Participants demonstrated a high level of preparation, strategic thinking, and the ability to make quick decisions.
According to the results of the tournament, the winners were:
1st place — Kabylbek Danial
2nd place — Kumar Asylkhan
3rd place — Nurbolatov Daulet
Among the female participants, Kamila Sadygali took first place.
The winners were awarded full (100 percent) rector’s grants to study at AlmaU in any chosen field. This underscores the university’s commitment to supporting talented applicants and building an intellectual community of the future.
AlmaU is one of the leading private universities in Kazakhstan, known for its innovative educational programs and international partnerships. The university actively supports initiatives aimed at developing the intellectual potential and leadership qualities of young people.