KPMG Bishkek LLC, a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms, supported by the Chess Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic, hosted the First KPMG Chess Premier League Championship for the Kyrgyzstan business community.

The First KPMG Chess Premier League Championship in Kyrgyzstan was held on 28 February in Bishkek and gathered a good number of participants of the first-time competition: 17 teams, each consisting of three players, competed for the Cup and the first prize. The championship was held according to the Swiss system, with the players playing for 9 rounds, each having 15 minutes to complete a round. JSC Chess Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic chaired by Milan Turpanov, the President of the Federation, and Erkinbek Ismailov, the national referee, monitored the participants to play against time.

There was a friendly atmosphere at the tournament as well as a high level of adrenalin, passion and competitiveness. The winners were selected for both team and individual classifications. The champions in the team classification were the team from Partnership LLC who won the Cup, second place went to the chess team from the Civil Registry Department of the State Registry Office under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, while JSC NARYNGIDROENERGOSTROY team from Karakul city came third. In the individual classification, the first prize on the first chessboard was awarded to Tologon Tegyn Semetey from PARTNERSHIP LLC; Abdyzhapar Assylbek from PARTNERSHIP LLC became the winner on the second chessboard; the winner on the third board was Alymbay Kyzy Aizhan from the Civil Registry Department. All participants of the championship were presented with souvenirs, while the winning teams and players were awarded diplomas and prizes.

We are pleased to note that the First KPMG Chess Premier League Championship in Kyrgyzstan was also supported by the Chess Fund of Kasparov in Central Asia. The Fund presented two special awards: one for a youngest player of the tournament - the prize went to Melis Mamatov from JSC NARYNGIDROENERGOSTROY, and the second prize for the fastest win, which went to Shyngys Kyzy Aizharkyn from the Civil Registry Department.

Additionally, one of the tournament participants, the iStore company, awarded a special prize to the team from PARTNERSHIP LLC that won the first place in the championship.

“It is very important for us to know that the idea of holding a chess tournament in Kyrgyzstan gained a wide support both from professional chess organisations and the business community of the Kyrgyz Republic. We thank all the participants for making a tournament a success and believe the championship will become a traditional annual event“, said Yelena Kim, Audit Partner, KPMG in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

According to Milan Turpanov, the President of the Chess Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic, the chess championship was organised at the highest level and was distinguished by its friendly and informal atmosphere. “On behalf of the Chess Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic and participants of the tournament we would like to thank KPMG for organizing this festival of chess. I am looking forward to mutual and fruitful cooperation with KPMG in further development and popularization of chess” - Milan Turpanov noted.

For 11 years KPMG in Kazakhstan and Central Asia has traditionally hosted an annual chess championship in Kazakhstan which bring together fans of this ancient and wise game. This year will feature XII KPMG Chess Championship for banks and financial institutions in Almaty and III KPMG Chess Championship in Astana. The expansion of the KPMG Chess Championship geography to cover business community in Kyrgyzstan is a true milestone event.

About KPMG in Kazakhstan and Central Asia

KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services, operating in 155 countries with more than 162,000 people working in member firms around the world.

KPMG has been working in Kazakhstan and Central Asia for nineteen years, and was rated as one of the leading audit and advisory firms in 2010-2013 by Expert Kazakhstan RA. Our essential principle has always been to use the firm’s global intellectual capital, combined with the practical experience of our local professionals. KPMG provides audit services as well as a wide range of advisory services covering tax and legal matters, performance improvement, risk management, transaction support, financing, and restructuring.

In Kazakhstan and Central Asia, KPMG now has offices in Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, and Bishkek with more than 400 active staff members.

For more information please contact:

Karlygash Kaltayeva, Head of Markets, KPMG in Kazakhstan and Central Asia

Tel.: +7 (727) 298 08 98 (ext 61136)

KKaltayeva@kpmg.kz

www.kpmg.kz