Kazakhstan Chess Federation Vice President Darmen Sadvakasov spoke about Bibisara Assaubayeva’s funding. Sadvakasov explains that Assaubayeva receives presidential grants, and states her funding amount for 2026.

Darmen Sadvakasov

Darmen Sadvakasov

Kazakhstan Chess Federation Vice President

“Speaking about Bibisara Assaubayeva, besides having a golden grant from the Federation, she also receives a presidential grant, separately by the decision of the President of the Chess Federation of Kazakhstan, Timur Turov.

This grant has been given to Bibisara for two years in a row. It amounts to 40 million tenge (~$84,500). But besides this money, there are also prize funds paid out based on tournament results.

One way or another, Bibisara received more than 100 million tenge (~$210,000) from the Federation. If I am not mistaken, this year the total funding allocated by the Kazakhstan Federation is 115 million tenge (~$241,000).

In this sense, we believe that the amount of funds allocated by the federation for our professional national team is absolutely sufficient to cover all necessary expenses.”

Kazakh GM Bibisara Assaubayeva recorded a video addressed to the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on June 10. Bibisara described her funding situation, said she hasn’t paid her seconds for the Norway Chess, and asked the president for help. On June 11, Bibisara published a post following the video, criticizing the Ministry of Sports’ reply on the situation.

Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, Gulmira Dauletova, Kazakh chess coach Olzhas Mengali, and FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky have publicly commented on Bibisara’s statements.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess