Uzbekistan’s youth national chess team finished first overall at the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships for players aged 9–17, winning 12 medals in total. The tournament was held in Antalya, Turkiye, from December 16 to 21.
The Uzbek team secured five gold, two silver, and five bronze medals, demonstrating consistent strength across both rapid and blitz formats. The result placed Uzbekistan at the top of the overall team rankings.
The championship brought together young male and female players from around the world, competing in rapid and blitz disciplines. Turkiye, as the host nation, finished second with eight medals, while the FIDE team placed third with six medals.
Uzbekistan’s first-place finish highlights the country’s growing prominence in international chess, particularly at the youth level, and reflects sustained investment in player development and competitive training programs.
Previously, The International Chess Federation (FIDE) had released its updated world rankings at the end of December 2024, with five Uzbek grandmasters ranked among the top 100 players globally.
