Kazakhstan dominates 2025 Western Asia Youth Championship
His Excellency Zulfiqor Gulahmadzoda (second from left), Chief Arbiter IA Husan Turdialiev (left), and Jamshed Mirza of the Tajikistan Chess Federation (right) presented the award for Best Federation. A record number of 391 children from 13 countries participated in the Western Asia Youth Chess Championship, held from April 20–29, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Organized by the Tajikistan Chess Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE, the event brought together young players from Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, host nation Tajikistan, and players competing under the neutral FIDE flag. The tournament was contested in Rapid, Blitz, and Standard (classical) formats. On the first day, Kazakhstan’s young players delivered an outstanding performance in Rapid chess, winning seven gold medals. Uzbekistan and FIDE players followed with two gold medals each, and India secured one gold. Midway through the standard chess competition, the Blitz championship was held. Once again, Kazakhstan led the field, earning five gold medals, followed by Uzbekistan with three and Iran with two. Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher of the UAE (left) and H.E. Zulfiqor Gulahmadzoda, Minister of Sport of Tajikistan and Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, awarded prizes to the winners of the Western Asia Youth Blitz Chess Championship in the Girls Under-8 category. Team medals were awarded separately for the Rapid, Blitz, and Standard events, based on the combined results of the top three players from each delegation or federation, with a minimum of two players required to qualify for team medals. Asian Chess Federation Deputy President Bharat Singh of India (left) and Deputy Sport Minister of Tajikstan Shaker Zadeh Mohammad Taleb (right) award medals to Boys under 8. Kazakhstan also topped the classical chess event, winning four gold medals. FIDE players followed with three golds, while Uzbekistan and Iran earned two each. Uzbekistan ranked ahead of Iran based on the number of silver medals. Complete results Full awards photos and final standings are available on the official website: Kazakhstan Rules Western Asia Youth Chess Championship – Asian Chess Western Asia Youth Team Awards in Standard Chess – Asian Chess Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Iran Top Western Asia Youth Blitz Chess Championship – Asian Chess Western Asia Youth Blitz Chess Team Awards in Dushanbe, Tajikistan – Asian Chess Awards Ceremony for Western Asia Youth Rapid Chess Championship – Asian Chess Team Awards for Western Asia Youth Rapid Chess Championship – Asian Chess