Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Asaubayeva becomes grandmaster, joins elite club of women in chess
At just 21, Asaubayeva becomes only the 43rd woman in history to earn grandmaster title and reflects on a lifetime devoted to chess
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — For Bibisara Asaubayeva, chess isn’t just a game — it’s her entire world. After 17 years dedicated to the board, the 21-year-old Kazakh prodigy has officially been awarded the title of grandmaster, one of the highest honors in the chess world.
The announcement came following a July 18 meeting of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), where the Switzerland-based governing body approved ten new grandmasters. Among them was Asaubayeva and fellow Kazakhstani Edgar Mamedov, just 15 years old.
Both had achieved the required ratings earlier but had been awaiting formal recognition. The Times of Central Asia confirmed their inclusion in the final list.
Asaubayeva now becomes the second woman from Kazakhstan to earn the title, following Zhansaya Abdumalik in 2021, and only the 43rd female grandmaster in the world. Her path to this milestone has been marked by resilience, discipline, and a profound emotional connection to the game.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Asaubayeva shared snapshots of her journey — from childhood tournaments to world stages — and reflected on the weight of her commitment. “To me, chess isn’t just 64 black and white squares. It’s a whole world. My world,” she wrote. “And there’s still so much left to explore.”
She recalled the wonder of her early years in chess, likening the experience to “entering a fairytale where anything was possible.” But the game, she added, comes with its share of heartbreak. “Losses still hurt — I never get used to them,” she admitted. “But they’ve made me stronger.”
Asaubayeva’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. She won back-to-back Women’s World Blitz Championships in 2021 and 2022 and is currently ranked 10th among the world’s highest-rated women with a FIDE rating of 2509. Earlier this month, she played in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas after receiving a wildcard entry, although she faced tough competition from top-ranked global players.
Her success reflects Kazakhstan’s broader ambition to become a global chess hub. The country has introduced chess into school curricula, launched training programs for teachers, hosted tournaments, and even supported chess development in other Asian nations.
FIDE’s July council meeting also confirmed that Kazakhstan will host the 2nd Chess Olympiad for people with disabilities this October — further positioning the country as a growing force in the global chess landscape.
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