Bibisara Assaubayeva, Kazakhstan's three-time world blitz champion, has qualified for the Women's Candidates Tournament, becoming the first player from her country to do so. The event, set for March in Cyprus, will feature eight top players vying for a shot at the women's world chess title. Assaubayeva earned her place through a strong performance at the recent World Blitz Championship.
Bibisara Assaubayeva confirmed her participation in the Women's Candidates Tournament during a meeting with journalists in Astana on February 9, 2026, as reported by Kazinform. This marks a historic milestone for Kazakhstan in elite chess, with Assaubayeva becoming the nation's first representative at this level.
Assaubayeva secured her qualification via the World Blitz Championship, which introduced a new format combining a Swiss system stage and knockout rounds. 'When I reached the final, I already knew I had secured my place in the Candidates Tournament. The main goal had been achieved, but I didn’t want to lose the match. I believe I played both the semifinal and final confidently, although it was the toughest world championship of all the ones I’ve won,' she said.
The three-time champion described the competition as particularly demanding, noting that the level rises each year and formats grow more challenging. Her second title held special significance, as it was won in her hometown of Almaty. Assaubayeva also recently competed in the prestigious Wijk aan Zee tournament, a renowned event held for 88 consecutive years.
Looking ahead, Assaubayeva emphasized the importance of representing Kazakhstan. 'I’ve already started preparing and, of course, I want to win the tournament to qualify for the world championship match,' she stated. Her preparation involves 8 to 9 hours of daily training, supported by a team of 11 coaches and sparring partners. She acknowledged that nervousness is a natural part of competition for any athlete.
Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, called the qualification a historic event. 'Bibisara Assaubayeva’s qualification for the Candidates Tournament is a historic event. Kazakhstan will be represented at this level for the first time. This is one of the most prestigious tournaments in world chess, giving the right to compete for a match for the world champion title,' Dauletova said.
At the meeting, Assaubayeva received awards from the federation, including a 25 million tenge bonus (about US$50,600) for her World Blitz victory. Assaubayeva described chess as an inseparable part of her life.
In related developments, Kazakhstan is expanding its role in global chess by hosting events like the World University Chess Championship and the Asian School Team Chess Championship in Almaty in 2026, as well as forming an association of chess federations from Turkic-speaking countries.