Kazakh chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva has entered the top five of the world's strongest female chess players for the first time in her career. In the updated July ranking of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), she took fifth place. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The 22-year-old Kazakh grandmaster scored 2538 rating points, improving her position by two spots compared to the previous ranking. Additionally, Assaubayeva became the youngest chess player to be included in the top five of the world ranking.
The ranking is led by China's Hou Yifan. The top five also includes her compatriots Zhu Jiner, Lei Tingjie, and reigning world champion Ju Wenjun.
The high ranking is a continuation of a successful season for the Kazakh chess player. In June, Assaubayeva won the prestigious Norway Chess Women 2026 tournament and topped the overall standings of the FIDE Women's Cycle 2026–2027, strengthening her position in the race for a spot in the next Candidates Tournament.
Earlier, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev awarded Bibisara Assaubayeva the Order of Barys, II degree, for her contribution to the development of national sports and high achievements on the international stage.