The opening of the chess club at D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) is a significant milestone that will not only boost the development of chess among students but also enrich the university's cultural life. In the future, EKTU will have the opportunity to collaborate with other clubs, organize joint events, and host meetings with professional chess players, providing additional motivation for students.
"I am delighted that EKTU is the university where this chess club has been established. This institution holds a special place in my heart, as it was here that the Kazakhstan Chess Championship took place, marking my transition from a junior player to a professional. For several years, I struggled to win the championship, but in 2001, when the tournament was held at EKTU, I finally became the Kazakhstan men's chess champion," said Darmen Sadvakasov, First Vice President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. "I hope that one day we will host the World University Chess Olympiad in Kazakhstan, where teams from Cambridge, Harvard, and Oxford will compete alongside teams from our country, including EKTU's team."
As part of the chess club's inauguration, EKTU and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at promoting chess in the university and the region. The signing ceremony was attended by Darmen Sadvakasov, First Vice President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation; Anvar Rakhimov, Chairman of the East Kazakhstan Chess Federation; and Saule Rakhmetullina, Chairman of the Board-Rector of EKTU.
"Chess is an endless exercise for the mind, developing lifelong cognitive skills such as concentration, critical and abstract thinking, problem-solving, pattern recognition, strategic planning, creativity, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Thanks to the support of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan has placed special emphasis on the development of chess in recent years. According to the 2023-2027 Comprehensive Plan for Chess Development in Kazakhstan, all necessary conditions are being created to encourage young people to play chess. The opening of numerous chess clubs and the introduction of chess lessons in schools are clear examples of this progress. I sincerely thank the Kazakhstan Chess Federation for their generous sponsorship and for honoring us with their presence at this significant event," noted Saule Rakhmetullina.
The partnership will allow for joint sports tournaments, seminars, training sessions, and chess masterclasses for students, faculty, and prospective students, strengthening the collaboration between the parties.
"I would like to express my gratitude to EKTU's administration for their support in organizing this initiative. Just a week ago, we were still discussing the possibility of opening a chess classroom, and you managed to implement it swiftly and efficiently. Chess clubs and classes are present in universities worldwide, and our institutions deserve no less. I hope that soon, they will compete on an equal footing with the best universities globally," said Anvar Rakhimov, Chairman of the East Kazakhstan Chess Federation.
Chess enjoys immense popularity in Kazakhstan, and Kazakhstani chess players have consistently achieved outstanding results on the international stage. The newly established chess club at EKTU represents a crucial step in promoting this intellectual sport among students and university staff.
