The FIDE President has arrived in Astana on a working visit where he met with the new leadership of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. The Vice-Premier of the Government, Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Republic of Kazakhstan, Aset Isekeshev has informed the FIDE President on the results of the recent Congress of chess players where new leadership has been elected. In particular, a well-known Grandmaster Darmen Sadvakasov, former World Junior U-20 Champion, has become Vice-President of the Federation. Mr. Isekeshev has also shared their plans on the Federation's work, including introduction of chess lessons in the schools curricula, which enjoys support from the country's leadership. President Ilyumzhinov has also informed about his efforts in this direction, as well as the plans regarding expansion of chess centers infrastructure, including top cities of Kazakhstan. The parties have discussed possibilities of bilateral co-operation. One of the first steps is likely to be the organization of the World Blitz and Rapid Championships in Astana in June-July 2012.


At the meeting with the Vice-Premier of the Government, Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Republic of Kazakhstan, Aset Isekeshev




Meeting with Akim of Astana Imangali Tasmagambetov. The Head of the capital of Kazakhstan has supported the proposal of FIDE to develop chess in the city and, alongside with the promotion of chess lessons, has agreed to provide a lot to erect a chess center in the heart of Astana.