The 2024 FIDE World School Rapid and Blitz Championships concluded in Tashkent. Held in the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, the event attracted over 250 young prodigies from all around the world, competing in rapid (15 minutes + 10 seconds increment) and blitz (3 minutes + 2 seconds increment) formats. Spanning a week, the championship hosted tournaments for age groups from U9 to U20.
Uzbekistani and Kazakhstani youngsters triumphed in the championship, securing seven gold medals each.
The 9-round Swiss rapid events were fiercely contested battles, with four ending with a tie for first place (the champions emerged thanks to better tiebreaks).
Rapid Championship winners:
Open U20: IM Maksim Tsaruk (FID)
Girls U20: WFM Aliaksandra Tarasenka (FID)
Open U17: FM Bakhrom Bakhrillaev (UZB)
Girls U17: Zilola Aktamova (UZB)
Open U15: Alikhan Daulet (KAZ)
Girls U15: WFM Zarina Nurgaliyeva (KAZ)
Open U13: Egor Korelskiy (FID)
Girls U13: Ailin Zarkym (KAZ)
Open U11: Alimzhan Zhauynbay (KAZ)
Girls U11: Kristina Zavivaeva (FID)
Open U9: Arlan Mirzhanov (KAZ)
Girls U9: Sriiyukthaa Marksim Karki Abirami (IND)
Complete standings Rapid Championships (all groups)
The blitz championships were equally exciting, with many thrilling games played across twelve 9-round Swiss tournaments. Kudos to Aliaksandra Tarasenka (FIDE), Bakhrom Bakhrillaev (Uzbekistan) and Kristina Zavivaeva (FIDE), who repeated their success in rapid part and clinched double gold.
Blitz Championship winners:
Open U20: GM Denis Lazavik (FID)
Girls U20: WFM Aliaksandra Tarasenka (FID)
Open U17: FM Bakhrom Bakhrillaev (UZB)
Girls U17: WFM Ayaulym Kaldarova (KAZ)
Open U15: FM Akbarali Abdukhakimov (UZB)
Girls U15: Madinabonu Khalilova (UZB)
Open U13: Aldiyar Zhauynbay (KAZ)
Girls U13: Rukiya Olimova (UZB)
Open U11: CM Oriyat Obidjonov (UZB)
Girls U11: Kristina Zavivaeva (FID)
Open U9: Aayansh Guntaka (USA)
Girls U9: Husnorakhon Khusnitdinova (UZB)
Complete standings Blitz Championships (all groups)
Photos: Uzbekistan Chess Federation