Recommended by KCF

To date, 25 chess schools have received the Recommended by KCF status, 6 of which achieved the Gold Level.

Full List of Schools:
About Accreditation
The purpose of accreditation is to establish a clear and transparent accreditation mechanism, define accreditation procedures and the rights and responsibilities of participating organizations, introduce unified quality standards for chess education, monitor compliance with these standards, and build consumer trust.

Key Benefits of Accreditation:

Reputational Value & Trust
KCF accreditation officially confirms that a school meets quality standards for chess education. The "Recommended by KCF" status verifies instruction quality, builds trust with parents and students, and boosts the organization’s reputation and competitive edge.
Marketing Support
Accreditation confirms compliance with chess education quality standards and features the school in the official registry on kazchess.kz with a "Recommended" badge, boosting visibility and attracting new students.
Professional Development for Coaches
Accredited schools gain access to specialized seminars, workshops, and educational events hosted by the KCF. These events focus on improving coaching qualifications, refining pedagogical practices, and adopting modern training methodologies.
Accreditation Commission

The Commission makes all accreditation decisions pursuant to the "Voluntary Accreditation of Chess Schools" Regulations. Its members include KCF representatives, certified coaches, methodologists, legal counsel, and independent experts.
Commission Members
  • Marat Sagintayevich Yessenov
    Vice President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation
    Chair of the Commission
  • Tatyana Rafailovna Verko
    FIDE International Arbiter & FIDE Trainer
    Commission Member
  • Petr Yevgenyevich Kostenko
    Coach of the National Team of the Republic of Kazakhstan
    Commission Member
  • Darkhan Muratuly Amankeldi
    Head of the Department of Regional Coordination and Development
    Commission Member
  • Akzhan Kenzhetayevich Shopanov
    KCF Rating Officer
    Commission Secretary
Procedure for Reviewing Accreditation Applications
Submitting an Application
An Organization submits an application to the KCF in the prescribed form, accompanied by documents confirming compliance with the stated accreditation criteria.
Application Review
The Commission reviews the submitted documents within a timeframe not exceeding 30 (thirty) working days
Online Video Inspection
The Commission reserves the right to conduct an online video inspection of the Organization and draw up an official report documenting the findings.
On-Site Inspection Visit
The Commission reserves the right to conduct an inspection of the Organization's activities and draw up an official report detailing the findings.
Decision Making
Based on the review of the application and the findings of the inspection, the Commission shall decide whether to grant or refuse accreditation, stating the reasons for its decision in writing.
Issuance of the Certificate
Upon a favorable decision, the Organization is issued a Certificate of Accreditation and included in the Registry of Accredited Schools and Clubs for a term of two years.
Accreditation System and Criteria
Chess schools are categorized into three levels based on qualification, achievements, and the scale of their operations. Each level has its own specific criteria. Schools may advance to a higher level or be demoted in the event of unsatisfactory performance.
Gold Level
(90–100 Points)
Top-tier schools — leading chess schools with international achievements and students who are winners of world tournaments. To be included in this tier, compliance with all mandatory criteria is required, including having at least three GM/IM-level coaches and hosting major chess competitions.
Silver Level
(70–89 Points)
Schools that actively participate in national-level tournaments and train strong players.
It is also essential to meet mandatory requirements, such as having FIDE Master/National Master-level coaches and organizing tournaments.
Bronze Level
(50–69 Points)
Clubs focused on the mass development of chess among children and adults, without an emphasis on sports achievements. Mandatory conditions also apply here: having a certified coach, student participation in tournaments, and the availability of training facilities.
Criteria Requirements
Regulations
Application Form
Secretary of the Accreditation Commission
rating-officer@kazchess.kz
Astana:
Nura District, 11/5 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Block B, 11th Floor, Office 1110, "Nurly Orda" Business Center

Almaty:
"Nurly Tau" Business Center, 13 Al-Farabi Avenue

Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy of the Republican Public Association
“Kazakhstan Chess Federation”

1. Terms and DefinitionsThe following terms and abbreviations are used in this Privacy Policy (hereinafter referred to as the “Policy”):
1.1. KCF – the Republican Public Association “Kazakhstan Chess Federation”.
1.2. Accreditation Commission – a collegiate expert body that conducts a comprehensive assessment of the activities of chess schools.
1.3. Personal Data – information relating to an identified or identifiable personal data subject, recorded on electronic, paper, and/or other tangible media.
1.4. School (Subject) – a legal entity or individual entrepreneur engaged in chess education activities that, as part of the accreditation process, provides and publishes on the Kazakhstan Chess Federation website information necessary to assess the level of coaching and educational activities. Such information is used solely for accreditation purposes, confirmation of the school's status, and informing website users about accreditation results.
1.5. Legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Personal Data and Their Protection – the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Personal Data and Their Protection” dated May 21, 2013 No. 94-V, and related regulatory legal acts, including Orders of the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 12, 2023 No. 179/NQ and October 23, 2020 No. 21498, which establish rules for the collection, processing, and protection of personal data.
1.6. Unless otherwise defined in this Policy, the terms and definitions established by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on personal data and their protection shall apply, including “personal data subject”, “collection of personal data”, “processing of personal data”, and other relevant terms.
2. Scope2.1. This Policy applies to all business processes of the KCF, all processed information including confidential information and personal data, information systems and software, supporting equipment, as well as all users of information systems and employees of the KCF.
2.2. The requirements of this Policy apply to all employees of the KCF who have access to confidential information and personal data, participate in the collection and processing of personal data, as well as third-party organizations and contractors based on contractual obligations.
3. General Provisions3.1. This Policy has been developed in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on personal data and their protection, as well as the internal regulatory documents of the KCF, including the Privacy Policy of the KCF.
3.2. The purpose of this Policy is to ensure the confidentiality and security of personal data of individuals and legal entities.
3.3. Given the need to provide different levels of protection for different categories of information, including information stored and processed in the information systems of the KCF, data owners shall classify the confidentiality level of such data.
3.4. The procedures listed below are detailed in the relevant internal regulatory documents of the Company:
3.4.1. Procedure for obtaining and withdrawing consent for the collection and processing of personal data;
3.4.2. Procedure for determining the list of personal data (publicly available and restricted-access data) necessary and sufficient to perform tasks and achieve the Company’s objectives;
3.4.3. Procedure for collecting personal data;
3.4.4. Procedure for granting access to personal data;
3.4.5. Procedure for processing personal data, including accumulation, storage, modification, and supplementation of personal data;
3.4.6. Use, dissemination, and depersonalization of personal data;
3.4.7. Blocking and destruction of personal data;
3.4.8. Procedure for implementing measures by the KCF to protect personal data, including prevention of unauthorized access, management of information security incidents, and notification of the authorized state body in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on personal data and their protection.
4. Company Policy on the Collection, Processing, and Protection of Personal Data 4.1. Principles of Collection, Processing, and Protection of Personal Data4.1.1. The collection, processing, and protection of personal data within the KCF are carried out in accordance with the principles established by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on personal data and their protection:
  • respect for constitutional rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens;
  • legality;
  • confidentiality of restricted-access personal data;
  • equality of rights between personal data subjects and the Company acting as the owner and/or operator of personal data;
  • ensuring the security of individuals, the Company, and the State.
4.1.2. Personal data may be collected:
  • directly from the personal data subject;
  • from the legal representative of the personal data subject;
  • from publicly available sources of personal data;
  • from third parties.
4.2. Purposes of Collection and Processing of Personal Data4.2.1. The KCF collects and processes personal data in the following cases, to the extent necessary and sufficient to achieve its objectives:
  • within the scope of the KCF’s activities in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Charter of the KCF, and its internal regulatory documents.
4.3. Categories of Personal Data SubjectsThe KCF collects, processes, and protects personal data relating to:
4.3.1. the School (Subject);
4.3.2. individuals who are in contractual or other civil-law relationships with the School (Subject).
4.4.Personal data are processed within the business processes of the Accreditation Commission in the scope determined by the internal regulatory documents of the KCF.
4.5.–4.11.The composition of personal data collected and processed by the KCF is determined by a register of information containing personal data, including:
  • regulatory legal acts establishing tasks for the collection and processing of personal data;
  • business processes of the School (Subject) containing personal data, including restricted-access personal data;
  • databases and/or electronic information resources where personal data are collected and processed;
  • a list of persons responsible for collecting and processing personal data or having access thereto;
  • classification of personal data into publicly available and restricted-access categories;
  • a list of persons with access to restricted-access personal data and the retention periods for such data.
4.12. Based on current activities, the Company may amend and supplement the list of personal data, provided there is justification for such changes or supporting documents confirming their validity.
4.13. Requirements for Collection and Processing of Personal Data4.13.1. Personal data collection and processing are carried out by structural divisions of the KCF within business processes and in accordance with internal regulations, departmental provisions, and job descriptions.
4.13.2. Personal data are collected and processed only after obtaining the consent of the personal data subject by signing a consent form containing the following information:
  • name of the School (Subject);
  • surname, first name, and patronymic (if applicable) of the Head of the School (Subject);
  • other information about the School (Subject) as determined by the KCF.
4.13.3. Personal data included in the list approved by the KCF shall be used solely for the purposes for which they were collected, while maintaining their confidentiality.
4.13.4. Personal data stored in electronic information resources are maintained in an electronic database hosted on a website server located within the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the necessary protection measures in place.
4.14. Confidentiality and Protection of Restricted-Access Personal Data4.14.1. Information containing restricted-access personal data is confidential.
4.14.2. Persons who become aware of restricted-access personal data due to professional duties, official necessity, or employment relationships must ensure its confidentiality.
4.14.3. Confidentiality requirements apply to electronic, paper, and other material carriers of information.
4.14.4. In relation to restricted-access personal data, the KCF implements the following additional protection measures in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
  • collection and processing through information systems located within the Republic of Kazakhstan;
  • storage and transfer using cryptographic information protection tools;
  • installation and updating of information security software and tools on systems processing personal data;
  • maintenance of database management system event logs;
  • maintenance of user activity logs for persons with access to restricted-access personal data;
  • application of personal data integrity monitoring tools.
4.15. Person Responsible for Organizing Personal Data Processing4.15.1. The KCF appoints, by official order, a person responsible for organizing personal data processing, who shall:
  • conduct internal monitoring of compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on personal data and their protection;
  • inform employees of the KCF about legal requirements regarding personal data processing and protection;
  • ensure the maintenance and updating of the list of personal data necessary for the activities of the KCF;
  • monitor the receipt and processing of requests from personal data subjects or their legal representatives;
  • in the event of information security incidents involving unlawful access to restricted-access personal data, jointly with the employee responsible for information security incident management, notify the authorized state body within one working day from the moment the violation is discovered.
5. Liability5.1. Heads of departments are responsible for implementing and monitoring compliance with this Policy.
5.2. Failure to comply with this Policy may result in disciplinary measures in accordance with the internal regulations of the KCF. Persons responsible for violations of the rules governing the collection, processing, and protection of personal data shall bear liability in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
6. Review Frequency6.1. This Policy shall be reviewed in the event of significant changes within the organization and on a regular basis, but at least once every three (3) years.
Version 1.0