The FIDE U9–U17 Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship, organized by FIDE and the Turkish Chess Federation, officially commenced on December 16 at the Aska Lara Hotel in Antalya.
A total of 314 participants from 33 countries, including 97 titled players, are competing in the event. Both the rapid and blitz events are 9-round Swiss tournaments, held across five age groups (U9, U11, U13, U15, U17) and separate Open and Girls sections. The rapid segment will be played over three days, followed by the two-day blitz tournaments.
The top seeds in the open categories (from U17 to U9, respectively) are: IM Arda Çamlar (TUR), GM Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş (TUR; pictured above), Andrey Kryakvin (FIDE), FM Marc Llari (FRA) and Marc Barcelo Melnyk (ESP).
WFM Alexia-Andreea Iordache (ROU), WFM Rosha Akbari (IRI), WCM Kristina Zavivaeva (FIDE; pictured below), WFM Alisa Genrietta Yunker (FIDE), WCM Eliza-Ioana Badescu (ROU) headline the girls categories.
The opening ceremony was attended by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, along with the President of the hosting Turkish Chess Federation Fethi Apaydin; TCF Deputy President Bulent Mert Dikec; FIDE Events Commission Honorary Chair ABD Chief Events Inspector Ozgur Solakoglu; TCF Board Member and FIDE Events Commission Member Alper Efe Ataman; Kemal Can Comez, Betul Buyukasik, and other sports sport and federation officials.
Arkady Dvorkovich and Fethi Apaydin made the first ceremonial moves, officially launching the competition.
Pairing and results: [HERE]
Official website: youthrapidblitz2025.tsf.org.tr/
Photo gallery: photos.app.goo.gl/8haNV29TMiGgSNvm8
Written by Kübra Ceylan
Photos: Ozan Koşar