The FIDE U9-U17 Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship concluded on December 21 in Antalya, following nine thrilling rounds of Blitz competition.
The two-day blitz segment of the championships attracted over 300 players from 31 countries, showcasing the rising global interest in youth chess.
Below are the newly crowned Blitz Champions in both Open and Girls categories across all five age groups:
Under 9 Open
🥇 Marc Barcelo Melnyk (ESP)
🥈 Nurali Nurshin (KAZ)
🥉 Oleksandr Savchuk (UKR)
Under 9 Girls
🥇 Varvara Volkova (RUS)
🥈 Azaliya Balakanova (KAZ)
🥉 Elif Eren (TUR)
Under 11 Open
🥇 Marc Llari (FRA)
🥈 Akhmediyar Sugraliyev (KAZ)
🥉 Ali Poyraz Uzdemir (TUR)
Under 11 Girls
🥇 Alisa Genrietta Yunker (RUS)
🥈 Zhansaya Sholpanbek (KAZ)
🥉 Husnoraorkhon Khusnutdinova (UZB)
Under 13 Open
🥇 Ramtin Kakavand (IRI)
🥈 Suleyman Akhmet (KAZ)
🥉 Makar Berdashkevich (RUS)
Under 13 Girls
🥇 Lazizabonu Komiljonova (UZB)
🥈 Kristina Zavivaeva (RUS)
🥉 Mokhinur Xikmathonova (UZB)
Under 15 Open
🥇 Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (TUR)
🥈 Nam Kiet Nguyen (VIE)
🥉 Khumoyun Begmuratov (UZB)
Under 15 Girls
🥇 Rosha Akbari (IRI)
🥈 Asiya Assylkhan (KAZ)
🥉 Anja Beber (SLO)
Under 17 Open
🥇 Ediz Gurel (TUR)
🥈 Filip Magold (ROU)
🥉 Abkarali Abduhakimov (UZB)
Under 17 Girls
🥇 Madinabonu Khalilova (UZB)
🥈 Binh Vy Nguyen (VIE)
🥉 Evgeniia Stanovskaia (RUS)
Trophies were awarded to the top three federations based on combined results from both the Rapid and Blitz segments. Russia, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye were the most successful nations in the blitz competition, while Uzbekistan, Türkiye, and Russia led in the rapid standings.
The closing ceremony took place at the Aska Lara Hotel and was attended by FIDE Events Commission
Honorary Chair and Chief Inspection Officer Özgür Solakoğlu, President of the Turkish Chess Federation Fethi Apaydın, Ministry of Youth Sports Antalya Provincial officers, federation board members, players, parents and trainers.
Official website: youthrapidblitz2025.tsf.org.tr/
Photo gallery: photos.app.goo.gl/8haNV29TMiGgSNvm8
Written by Kübra Ceylan
Photos: Ozan Koşar