Tokayev Receives FIDE President Timur Turlov

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Meets New FIDE President Timur Turlov: Key Topics Discussed

On October 7, 2026, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with Timur Turlov, the newly elected President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The meeting took place shortly after a historic milestone for Kazakh chess — Turlov's election as head of one of the world's largest international sports organizations.

However, the meeting went far beyond formal congratulations. The two leaders discussed the future of chess in Kazakhstan, the development of young talent, the expansion of educational programs, and stronger international cooperation.

Particular attention was given to strengthening Kazakhstan's position on the global chess stage and making the game more accessible to younger generations.

Tokayev Congratulates Turlov on His Election as FIDE President

At the beginning of the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Timur Turlov on winning the FIDE presidential election, held on September 26, 2026, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The Kazakh president emphasized that the election of a representative of Kazakhstan to such a prominent international position reflects the growing reputation of the country's chess community.

For Kazakhstan, this achievement carries particular significance. In recent years, the country has actively promoted chess, supported young players, and participated in organizing major international competitions.

According to Tokayev, chess should be viewed not only as a competitive sport but also as an important tool for developing the intellectual abilities of children and young people.

Turlov's election therefore creates additional opportunities to strengthen Kazakhstan's ties with the international chess community.

Kazakhstan Strengthens Its Position in World Chess

One of the central topics of the meeting was the progress achieved by Kazakh chess players.

Today, more than 278,000 people in Kazakhstan regularly play chess, demonstrating the growing popularity of the game across the country.

The president paid particular attention to the performance of Kazakhstan's women's national team at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.

The Kazakh women's team won silver medals, confirming its high level of preparation and ability to compete against some of the strongest national teams in the world.

This achievement marked an important milestone for Kazakh sport and provided further evidence of the progress made by the country's chess development system.

Nevertheless, despite these successes, significant challenges remain.

To maintain this momentum, Kazakhstan must not only support its leading players but also establish the conditions necessary for discovering and developing the next generation of talent.

What Priorities Did Tokayev Set for the Chess Federation?

During the meeting, the President of Kazakhstan outlined several key priorities for the country's national chess federation.

1. Strengthening National Team Preparation

Kazakhstan aims to improve its performance at major international tournaments. Achieving this goal will require a more effective training system for professional players and the creation of conditions that support consistent results at the highest level.

2. Identifying and Supporting Young Talent

The development of youth chess remains a major priority. Particular attention will be given to identifying promising young players, providing high-quality training, and supporting their progression toward professional careers.

3. Expanding Chess Education in Schools

The president highlighted the importance of integrating chess into the education system.

Chess can help students develop logical thinking, concentration, problem-solving abilities, and decision-making skills.

4. Improving Regional Chess Infrastructure

Another important objective is to ensure that children throughout Kazakhstan have equal opportunities to learn and play chess.

Expanding chess clubs, training centers, and educational programs beyond major cities could make the game more accessible to young people in smaller communities.

Together, these priorities are intended to establish a sustainable chess development system, supporting players from their first lessons through to international competition.

Chess in Schools: Kazakhstan's Ambitious Expansion Plans

The development of chess education received particular attention during the discussions.

According to information presented by Timur Turlov, chess has already been incorporated into the curricula of more than 1,500 educational institutions across Kazakhstan.

However, the country's ambitions extend considerably further.

By the end of 2026, Kazakhstan plans to introduce chess education in another 1,000 schools. An additional 2,500 educational institutions are expected to join the initiative in 2027.

If successfully implemented, these plans could make chess a regular part of the educational experience for a significantly larger number of Kazakh students.

Importantly, the initiative is not focused exclusively on producing future grandmasters.

Instead, chess is increasingly being recognized as an educational tool that can encourage analytical thinking, independent reasoning, and intellectual development.

Kazakhstan and FIDE Seek Stronger International Cooperation

Another major topic was cooperation between the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and the International Chess Federation.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of strengthening this partnership across several areas.

Discussions included improving the qualifications of Kazakh chess coaches and arbiters, implementing joint educational initiatives, and organizing major international chess competitions in Kazakhstan.

Such cooperation could create significant opportunities for the country.

Hosting international tournaments allows local players to gain valuable experience against some of the world's strongest competitors.

At the same time, major chess events contribute to the development of sporting infrastructure and enhance Kazakhstan's international reputation as an emerging center of global chess.

However, no specific new tournaments or dates were announced following the meeting.

Timur Turlov Outlines His Vision as FIDE President

Timur Turlov thanked Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his continued attention to chess and support for its development.

The newly elected FIDE president emphasized his understanding of the responsibilities associated with his position, both toward Kazakh chess players and the broader international chess community.

During the meeting, Turlov discussed opportunities to further popularize chess, strengthen international partnerships, and implement new initiatives in cooperation with national federations.

For Turlov, leading FIDE represents a significant step into international sports governance.

His responsibilities now extend far beyond the development of chess in Kazakhstan, encompassing issues affecting national chess federations around the world.

Particular importance will be attached to supporting smaller chess federations, improving access to international competitions, and creating more opportunities for young players in different countries.

These objectives could play a central role in shaping FIDE's future development strategy.

Why Does This Meeting Matter for World Chess?

Timur Turlov's election as FIDE president was one of the most significant developments in the chess world in September 2026.

During the presidential election in Samarkand, he secured victory in the second round with 110 votes, succeeding Arkady Dvorkovich as head of the organization.

The new leadership now faces the challenge of not only maintaining existing international chess initiatives but also determining the federation's future direction.

The meeting with Kazakhstan's president demonstrated that chess development remains an important part of the country's national priorities.

For FIDE, meanwhile, cooperation with national federations, educational institutions, and tournament organizers will be essential to successfully implementing international projects.

Kazakhstan, with its growing chess community and experience hosting major competitions, could play a meaningful role in these efforts.

The country's achievements also demonstrate how government support, educational initiatives, and competitive success can contribute to the long-term growth of chess.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Kazakh Chess

The meeting between Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Timur Turlov was more than an official opportunity to congratulate the newly elected FIDE president.

It highlighted the key areas in which Kazakhstan intends to develop chess over the coming years.

Supporting young talent, strengthening national teams, expanding chess education in schools, and deepening cooperation with FIDE could further enhance the country's position on the international stage.

However, the ultimate measure of success will not be the announcements themselves, but their practical implementation.

New educational programs, accessible chess clubs, qualified coaches, and strong performances by national players will determine whether these ambitions translate into lasting progress.

Kazakhstan has already demonstrated its ability to achieve significant success in international chess. The next challenge is to transform these accomplishments into a sustainable system capable of supporting future generations.

If the planned initiatives are implemented consistently, the meeting between Tokayev and Turlov could become an important starting point for a new chapter in the history of Kazakh chess.