On October 15, the grand opening of three Chess Houses took place in Shymkent, the third largest city in Kazakhstan by population. The new spaces were established in Abay Park, Metallurgists Park, and the pedestrian alley in the 17th microdistrict. Here, city residents can play chess, train with coaches, and participate in tournaments.
The opening ceremony was attended by Timur Turlov, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and KazChess, and Gabit Syzdykbekov, Akim (Mayor) of Shymkent.
The locations for the new Chess Houses were not chosen at random. All three facilities are situated in popular public areas where Shymkent residents frequently relax and spend their time. The main idea of the project is to make chess as accessible to the public as possible. There is no longer a need to visit specialized sports schools or chess clubs to play a game or meet fellow enthusiasts, as ideal conditions for this have now been created in parks and alleys.
The largest Chess House, covering an area of 223 square meters, is located in Abay Park. Two additional pavilions, each with an area of 81 square meters, were built in Metallurgists Park and the alley in the 17th microdistrict. The latter facility also features a summer terrace. The halls are equipped with specialized chess tables, with capacities accommodating 96 and 48 people simultaneously, respectively.
“I am delighted to see the growing interest in chess in our city year after year. In 2024, a Chess House dedicated to veterans and the older generation was opened in Central Park. Today, this noble initiative continues. The new facilities will provide residents with an opportunity to gather, practice chess regularly, and spend their free time productively. Moving forward, we will continue to pay special attention to the development of grassroot sports and the support of talented athletes,” said Gabit Syzdykbekov, Akim of Shymkent.
The construction was sponsored by Freedom Holding Corp. through the “Freedom Shapagat” Corporate Fund. The Fund coordinated the project at every stage, from pre-design preparation to the handover of the facilities. Once the facilities are fully operational, Freedom Telecom plans to provide them with internet connectivity.
“I clearly see the growing interest in chess in Shymkent year after year. The city has firmly joined the ranks of leaders in terms of the number of tournaments and talented players, especially among children and youth. However, champions do not appear out of nowhere: as global experience shows, major sporting success begin primarily with mass participation and public passion. Therefore, one of FIDE’s main objectives in the coming years is to attract as many people to chess as possible. I consider the simultaneous opening of three Chess Houses a significant step in this direction. I have great hope that in a short time, they will become an integral part of the city’s life. Most importantly, the chess-loving community and the number of champions will grow here, and Shymkent will continue to develop beyond the region as one of the strongest chess centers in Kazakhstan and Central Asia,” said Timur Turlov.
Chess advocate and President of the Chess Players Union, Shyngys Nurgalimov, actively participated in developing the design of the central Chess House. The general contractor is “Orda-Stroy Capital” LLP.
Immediately following the grand opening, the SHYMKENT CHESS HOUSE BLITZ Challenger 2026 children’s blitz tournament took place in the new Chess Houses, with over a hundred young players participating.
The games were held simultaneously across three venues: 60 participants in Abay Park, and 20 chess players each in Metallurgists Park and the alley in the 17th microdistrict. The competition was a nine-round Swiss tournament (time control: 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move).