KazChess Masters: Lazavik takes title, Smirnov earns GM norm

11/3/2026 – Denis Lazavik won the KazChess Masters in Almaty with 6½/9 points, finishing unbeaten after drawing his final-round game against Aram Hakobyan. The 19-year-old Belarusian overtook Daniil Dubov in the penultimate round and eventually finished half a point ahead of the Russian. Another notable result came from 14-year-old Kazakh IM Mark Smirnov, who scored 5½/9, shared third place with Shamsiddin Vokhidov and earned his first GM norm. | Photo: Michal Walusza / FIDE (World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2026)