Kazakh grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva has risen to ninth place in the latest FIDE women's rankings after gaining 19 points at the Tata Steel Chess Challengers 2026 in Wijk aan Zee. Building on her recent qualification for the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament, the March 2026 rating list highlights her momentum among top players.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) released its March 2026 rating list, capturing changes from events such as the Tata Steel Chess Masters and Challengers tournaments that concluded by late February. In the women's section, China's Hou Yifan maintains her position as world number one. Kazakhstan's Bibisara Assaubayeva, fresh off qualifying for the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament via the World Blitz Championship, earned 19 rating points at the Challengers event in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, to climb into the global top 10 at ninth place.
On the men's side, Norway's Magnus Carlsen holds steady as the undisputed number one. Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov added 20 points to re-enter the top 10. The list also underscores ongoing developments in the chess world ahead of the Women's Candidates Tournament, where Assaubayeva will compete for a shot at challenging China's Ju Wenjun for the women's world chess championship title.
Assaubayeva's achievements have been recognized nationally; last year, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented her with the Barys Order. Kazakhstan continues to boost its international chess profile, including hosting the Asian Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Chess Championships 2026.
The ratings reflect a dynamic period, with players from various nations showing gains and losses based on recent competitions. For instance, India's D Gukesh remains the sole Indian in the open top 10 at tenth place, while Koneru Humpy holds fifth in the women's rankings.
