Two Kazakhstani chess players — 14-year-old Edgar Mamedov and 21-year-old Bibisara Assaubayeva — are soon to be officially awarded the highest title in chess, that of Grandmaster, reports a correspondent of Kazinform news agency.

The Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship 2025 has concluded in Sharjah. According to the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, the tournament featured participation from 64 Grandmasters and 17 International Masters, with player ratings ranging from 2453 to 2771.

Noteworthy performances were delivered by a trio of Kazakhstani players: International Masters Edgar Mamedov (rated 2492, +16.9 Elo points) and Bibisara Assaubayeva (rated 2494, +15.3), each scoring 5 out of 9 points, as well as Grandmaster Rinat Jumabayev (2551, +5.2). In addition, Bibisara achieved the best result among female participants, finishing one point ahead of China’s Zhu Jiner (2541), winner of the 2024–25 Women's Grand Prix, and 1.5 points ahead of Divya Deshmukh (2469), who won the 2024 Chess Olympiad as a member of the Indian national team.

Bibisara successfully achieved her third Grandmaster norm and surpassed the required 2500 rating threshold.

Thus, both Edgar Mamedov and Bibisara Assaubayeva have now fulfilled all the criteria necessary for the Grandmaster title. The final step is the formal approval of their titles at the upcoming 2025 2nd FIDE Council meeting. Upon confirmation, Bibisara will become the second woman in Kazakhstani chess history to be awarded this title, following Zhansaya Abdumalik.