On May 29, 2026, a chess tournament was held at the Kostanay Social and Technical University named after Academician Zulkarnay Aldamzhar, featuring the teaching staff of higher educational institutions in the Kostanay region. The tournament was dedicated to the opening of the chess club named after Vasily Amelyanovich Shalabaev — a teacher and public figure.

The grand opening of the tournament took place at the Students’ Cultural Center at the following address: Kostanay, Tekstilshchikov Street, 9.

The competitions were organized with the following goals in mind:
– to encourage higher education institutions to participate in the “Chess in Education” program;
– to develop and promote intellectual games in universities in the Kostanay region;
– to promote a healthy lifestyle among teachers and students;
– to improve the sports skills of chess players.

The chief judge of the competitions was V.V. Nikolaev.
Seven teams from higher education institutions in the Kostanay region took part in the tournament:
— Kostanay Social and Technical University named after Academician Zulkarnay Aldamzhar (2 teams);
— Kostanay Regional University named after Akhmet Baitursynuly;
— Kostanay Engineering and Economic University named after Myrzakyp Dulatov;
— Rudny Industrial University;
— Chelyabinsk State University;
— Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after Shrakbek Kabyldaev..

Each team consisted of 4 participants: three men and one woman.
Based on the results of the competition, the prize‑winning places were distributed as follows:
I place — Kostanay Regional University named after Akhmet Baitursynuly;
II place — Kostanay Socio‑Technical University named after Academician Zulkarnay Aldamzhar;
III place — Kostanay Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after Shrakbek Kabyldaev.
The tournament winners were awarded certificates of merit by the rector of KSTU and monetary prizes (sponsors — the Shalabaev family).

The winning team received the Rector’s Cup of KSTU named after Academician Zulkarnay Aldamzhar.

The chess tournament will become a traditional event in the calendar of significant dates at our university. It is intended not only to promote chess among the teaching staff and students but also to serve as a tribute to Vasily Amelyanovich Shalabaev.