WGM Meruert Kamalidenova Makes History by Winning GM Tournament Ahead of Male Grandmasters
Breaking News: Female Chess Player Makes History by Winning GM Tournament Ahead of Male Grandmasters
In a stunning turn of events, 19-year-old WGM Meruert Kamalidenova has made history by winning a closed 10-player GM tournament in Kazakhstan, beating out male grandmasters to claim victory. Despite being the lowest-ranked player in the field, Kamalidenova emerged triumphant with 5.5 points, half a point ahead of GMs Denis Makhnev and Alisher Suleymenov.
What makes Kamalidenova’s victory even more remarkable is her slow start in the tournament, where she lost in the first round but bounced back to win three games against grandmasters, including top-seed GM Samvel Ter-Sahakayan. This impressive performance earned her a 2614 performance rating and secured her first grandmaster norm.
Kamalidenova’s success continues to elevate her growing reputation in the chess world. In 2019, she became the World Youth U14 Chess Champion and has claimed titles in the Asian Youth Chess Championships. Her peak rating of 2427 in April 2022 has since stabilized in the high 2300s, and she is currently ranked ninth among the highest-rated female juniors worldwide.
Her coach, GM Alexander Moiseenko, expressed his surprise at Kamalidenova’s unexpected victory but noted that she was in excellent form leading up to the tournament. He praised her defensive skills and strategic play against higher-rated opponents, highlighting her win against Ter-Sahakayan as a standout moment.
Kamalidenova’s win adds to the limited number of female players who have achieved success in open events against male competitors. While women have historically been underrepresented in chess, Kamalidenova’s victory serves as a testament to her skill and determination in a male-dominated field.
As Kamalidenova continues to make waves in the chess world, her resilience and dedication to the game serve as an inspiration to aspiring players, regardless of gender. Her message of finding joy in the game and learning from losses resonates with chess enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing the transformative power of passion and perseverance in the pursuit of excellence.