A flood of medals for Kazakhstan
The rapid section of the 2026 FIDE World Cadet and Youth Rapid & Blitz Championships has concluded after three intense days of competition and a total of 11 rounds. In the opening phase of the event, 432 players from 40 federations took part, while 72 players from 11 different countries succeeded in winning medals. The standout nation of the tournament was clearly Kazakhstan, whose players topped the medal table with an impressive haul of 5 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
Russia followed in second place. Russian players completed the rapid event with 2 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze medals, underlining their strength across multiple age groups. In such a broadly attended youth event, the spread of medals across different federations once again highlighted the growing depth of global junior chess. Rapid chess, in particular, places a premium on time management, practical opening preparation, and the ability to avoid costly mistakes, creating space not only for rating favorites but also for surprise contenders to emerge.
Among the individual performances, one of the most notable storylines was the success of top seeds in converting their status into titles. Aldiyar Ansat of Kazakhstan lived up to expectations in the Under-18 Open section and claimed the gold medal. Likewise, Afruza Khamdamova of Uzbekistan finished first in the Under-18 Girls category, confirming her place among the event’s leading names. At youth level, results of this kind are seen as more than a reflection of short-term form; they also point to the quality of long-term training systems and the value of consistent tournament experience.
With the rapid portion now complete, attention turns to the next stages of the championship. Within the six-day event schedule, some players will enjoy a brief rest day, while most participants are set to compete in the team event. The fact that 50 teams have already registered shows that the tournament is not only a platform for individual achievement, but also an important showcase of federation depth and team spirit. As the blitz competitions approach, the pace is expected to intensify further and the medal standings may yet change again.