The city of Barranquilla is buzzing with excitement as it hosts the World Youth Chess Olympiad U-16, bringing together teams from more than 45 countries.
After the second round, the standings are beginning to reveal the teams showing the strongest performances in this prestigious event.
Round 2 highlights
After two rounds of play, several teams are leading the standings:
- Kazakhstan 1 and Kazakhstan 2, demonstrating remarkable consistency across all boards.
- Georgia and Canada, who continue their winning streak with back-to-back victories.
- India, FIDE 1, FIDE 2, Cuba 1, and Uzbekistan, completing the group of undefeated teams with excellent results.
All of these squads have scored two victories in their opening matches, achieving a perfect 4/4.
Featured match
One of the most talked-about games of the day was the clash between Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Anna Shukman (FIDE) and Peruvian rising star Achatada Mandujano. The duel was fiercely contested and ended in a draw, showcasing the high level of competition.
Latin American and Colombian presence
The Colombian teams have delivered noteworthy performances, with several squads positioned in the upper half of the standings. Colombia 1, Colombia 2, Colombia 7, and Colombia 13 have all posted solid results, keeping their hopes alive against delegations with strong international reputations. In addition, teams from Paraguay, Peru, Brazil, and Cuba, along with Italy, have scored valuable points to remain competitive in the tournament.
Inspiring event
The Olympiad is not only a sporting competition but also a cultural and social gathering, strengthening bonds of friendship among nations. Barranquilla is consolidating its place as a global hub of youth chess, hosting some of the brightest talents of the next generation. With every round, anticipation builds over which country will emerge victorious—where the talent, discipline, and passion of young chess players take center stage.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich attended the event and made the first ceremonial move in the match between Georgia and the FIDE teams.
“I hope at some point we will have the Chess Olympiad in the Americas—not U-16, but the main one. It is our ambition for the future. It is not an easy task, but it is achievable. Having more events here allows local players to improve their skills and gain valuable experience. This competition offers a great opportunity for the younger generation to grow, not only from ‘traditional’ chess countries but also from smaller ones in the Caribbean region. It is a very good sign.”
Live Broadcast
Renowned Grandmaster and commentator Pepe Cuenca is leading the live coverage of the games, bringing his dynamic and charismatic style that has become a hallmark in the chess world.
Fans can follow the most exciting matches with live commentary on the YouTube channel of the Colombian Chess Federation (FECODAZ).
All updated results are available HERE.
Photos: Federación Colombiana de Ajedrez
Official website: youtholympiad2025.fide.com/