If you’re a chess lover rated 2400+, this is the tournament you don’t want to miss. The Almaty Region Open 2025 – Qonaev Cup is back: bigger, stronger, and richer than ever. With a prize fund of $100,000, including a whopping $78,000 just for the Masters group, the board is set for nine thrilling rounds in Kazakhstan.
Dates: August 3–12, 2025
Venue: Olympic Training Center, Almalybak village, Almaty region
The Masters: Where Titans Collide
Only players with a rating of 2400+ are allowed in the Masters section, and this year’s lineup is stacked. The top seed is GM Bassem Amin (2633) from Egypt, followed by GM Aram Hakobyan (2621) and GM Maxim Matlakov (2608). The field features more than 20 grandmasters, with players from India, USA, China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and more.
Some names to watch:
- GM Aditya Mittal (IND) – back after two Kazakh victories in 2023
- GM Aryan Chopra (IND) – runner-up at Aktobe Open 2025
- GM SL Narayanan, GM Sethuraman SP, GM Brandon Jacobson, and GM Goganov Aleksey
Women players are making their mark too, with WGM Xeniya Balabayeva and WIM Amina Kairbekova among the top local hopes.
Almaty Region Open 2025 ranking and results
Big Prizes, Big Fight
The top prize in the Masters is $18,000, with the top 15 finishers earning rewards. The best female player also wins a special $1,000 prize.
Top 3 prizes:
- 🥇 1st place – $18,000
- 🥈 2nd place – $14,000
- 🥉 3rd place – $10,000
Entry is free for players rated 2600+ and all titled players (GM, IM, WGM, WIM). For others, entry fees range from $50 to $125, depending on rating.
Fully Sponsored Invitations for Elite Players
Players rated 2600+ can apply for fully sponsored invitations, including:
- Free accommodation and meals
- Flight reimbursement
- Single room upgrade for GMs rated 2700+
Organizers will select a limited number of these guests, with a cap of two per country.
Schedule at a Glance
- Aug 3: Arrival, Accreditation & Technical Meeting
- Aug 4: Opening Ceremony + Round 1
- Aug 5–11: Daily rounds at 3 PM (GMT+5)
- Aug 12: Final round (10 AM) + Closing Ceremony (5 PM)
Time control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move from move 1.
World-Class Chess, Regional Name
The name might say “Almaty Region,” but don’t be fooled. This is no local tournament. The Almaty Region Open 2025 – Qonaev Cup is shaping up to be one of the strongest open chess tournaments of the year.
The Qonaev Cup is named in honor of Dinmukhamed Qonaev, a respected Kazakh leader and historical figure. He played a key role in Kazakhstan’s development during the Soviet era and is still remembered fondly today. Naming the cup after him is a tribute to Kazakh heritage, pride, and leadership – qualities that align perfectly with the spirit of chess: strategy, wisdom, and respect.
Held in the peaceful Almalybak village just outside Almaty, Kazakhstan, this event draws elite players from five continents. With over 20 grandmasters, including names like GM Bassem Amin (Egypt), GM Hakobyan (Armenia), and a wave of young Indian and American talents, the field looks more like a World Cup than a regional open.
So why the modest name?
Because this tournament is Kazakhstan’s pride, showcasing the country’s ability to host world-class chess on its home turf. The “Almaty Region Open” may sound like a quiet, local event, but the $100,000 prize fund and the global lineup tell a very different story.
In the Masters group alone, players are coming from:
- India, USA, China, Armenia, Iran, Egypt, Ukraine, Mongolia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Sweden, Singapore, and of course, Kazakhstan
- Many of them are title-holders: GM, IM, WGM, WIM, with ratings above 2600 and climbing
- They’re here not just for prizes, but for rating gains, fame, and a serious test
Kazakhstan continues to grow as a chess powerhouse, and events like this prove it. Just a few years ago, local players dominated the scene. Now, they’re joined by some of the most promising and powerful minds in the world, in a tournament that’s quietly becoming a major stop on the global circuit.
In short: don’t let the name fool you.
The Almaty Region Open is global. And it’s for players who want to make headlines.
I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300, in both blitz and bullet. Follow me on Twitter (X).
