A GAME WITH TWO GMs

For the first time in Kazakhstan’s chess history the game was played not by a single but two chess masters – Rinat Jumabayev and Zhansaya Abdumalik. Rinat is a multiple champion of Kazakhstan, leader of the men’s national team, winner of the Asia Cup and international grandmaster (GM) while Zhansaya is a 15-year-old women’s grandmaster (WGM), the champion of Asia and three-time world champion among children.

The first 30 chess fans registered for the session on Kazakhstan Chess Federation’s website had the chance to play with the masters. The youngest participant of the session was a five-year old Aylana Abylkasymova and the eldest a 71-year-old Askar Bilyalov. The simultaneous display lasted for three hours. The Abdumalik-Jumabaev duet won at 26 boards while the remaining four agreed to a draw. The tournament’s closing is on November 29 at an awards ceremony.