Almaty Kicks Off Chess Season at Shymbulak with a Minecraft-Style Knight Sculpture Ahead of the 2025 World Cadet Championship, DKnews.kz reports.
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On July 20, 2025, Almaty launched its chess season in a spectacular fashion by unveiling a striking art installation — a Minecraft-inspired knight chess piece — at the Shymbulak mountain resort.
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Crafted from 1.5 mm thick steel segments welded by hand, the sculpture represents a fusion of classic chess tradition with modern digital aesthetics. Its pixelated design nods to the popular game Minecraft, resonating with younger audiences and emphasizing a creative, youthful approach to intellectual sport.
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This bold installation sets the tone for the World Cadet Chess Championship (U8–U12), which Almaty will host from September 19 to 30, 2025.
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Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess), spoke at the opening ceremony:
"We want chess to be visible not only in schools and sports halls, but also on mountain resorts, in parks, and on city streets. Let intellectual sport become part of Kazakhstan’s cultural and tourism identity. This September, Almaty will welcome the World Cadet Championship — a great honor and recognition of our organizing capacity. We’re expecting hundreds of young players from around the globe and are ready to deliver a world-class event filled with memorable moments."
DKnews.kz
Turlov and Rinat Abdrakhmanov, Director of Shymbulak, cut the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the installation.
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The event also featured a blitz tournament for young players, and a simul exhibition led by Kazakh chess star Yelnaz Kaliahmet.
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Attendees recorded video messages for the upcoming World School Team Championship in Washington and the World Cadet Championship in Almaty.
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The sculpture will remain on display at Shymbulak until the end of September, with championship participants invited to leave handprints on it as a keepsake.
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The World Cadet Chess Championship 2025 will take place at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace and feature categories for boys and girls in U8, U10, and U12 age groups. Over 700 players from more than 70 countries are expected to compete. Kazakhstan will field a strong team, including national championship medalists, top-rated players, and regional talents.
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At the 2024 event in Montesilvano, Italy, Kazakh cadets achieved outstanding results — two golds (Alanna Berikkzy, G10; Mark Smirnov, O12) and one silver (Khanzada Amanzhol, G12), securing first place in the overall medal standings.
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Kazakhstan continues to build its reputation as a top-tier chess host. Almaty has previously welcomed the World Rapid and Blitz Championships (2022) and the Asian Youth Championship (2024). FIDE has praised the country’s level of organization, and the 2025 Cadet Championship is set to shine a global spotlight on Kazakhstan’s rising chess scene — offering young talents a chance to compete with the best in the world.
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