A record 391 players from 13 countries are participating in the Western Asia Youth Chess Championship being held 20th to 29th April 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Participating are Western Asia federations of Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakshtan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia under neutral FIDE flag, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and host Tajikistan.
Visit chess-results.com for full lists by age group category under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 for boys and girls.
The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship Match concluded on April 18 with a vibrant closing ceremony held at the Multi-Function Hall of the Jinke Grand Hotel in Chongqing’s Fuling District. The event marked the end of an exciting championship between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi, and celebrated the power of chess to bring people, cities, and cultures together.
The national anthem of the People’s Republic of China and the FIDE anthem were played, followed by a highlights video recapping key moments from the match. For a few minutes, attendees experienced the emotions of the match – from the first stable draw to the final one that sealed Ju’s title, and all the wins and losses in-between. It ended with a shot of the beautiful Phoenix Coronet trophy, the final highlight that showcased the prestige of the event.
Attending leaders and guests included Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board Dana Reizniece, FIDE Treasurer Zhu Chen, Mr. Zhao Aiguo Deputy general director of China QIYUAN and Vice Chair of the CCA, Mr. Du Xueyong Deputy Director of Chongqing Administration of Sports, Mr. Liu Shizhen President of the Shanghai Board and Card Games Center, Ms Wang Yaping, Deputy Mayor of Fuling District, and Mr. Dong Yifeng, Mayor of Fuling District.
The national anthem of the People’s Republic of China and the FIDE anthem were played, followed by a highlights video recapping key moments from the match. For a few minutes, attendees experienced the emotions of the match – from the first stable draw to the final one that sealed Ju’s title, and all the wins and losses in-between. It ended with a shot of the beautiful Phoenix Coronet trophy, the final highlight that showcased the prestige of the event.
In speeches that followed, officials praised the organizational excellence and the level of competition. Mr Dong Yifeng, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Fuling District Committee and Mayor of the People’s Government of Fuling District, took to the stage first, noting how the event had showcased both the intellectual beauty of chess and the cooperative spirit between Shanghai and Chongqing, ending with the sentiment, “May the sport of chess flourish across continents!”. Mr Zhao Aiguo, Deputy Director of the Board and Card Games Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sports of China, took to the stage next, emphasizing the achievements of chess in China, particularly women’s chess.
Chief Arbiter Sabrina de San Vicente and Deputy Chief Arbiter Zhu Jiaqi then made their way to the stage and formally announced the results: the Winner of the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship Match: Ju Wenjun, clinching her fifth consecutive world title.
The awards presentation followed, with Dana Reizniece and Wang Yeping presenting the runner-up award to Tan Zhongyi, and Zhu Chen, Zhao Aiguo, and Du Xueyong awarding Ju Wenjun the championship Phoenix Coronet trophy, medal, and laurel crown. Remaining on stage adorned in her laurel crown, the champion herself made a speech. In her brief remarks, Ju Wenjun expressed gratitude and pride, calling this fifth title “deeply meaningful” and thanking everyone who supported the event, and specially thanked her team GM Ni Hua, Gm Maxim Matlakov, and WGM Wang Pin.
To recognize outstanding contributions to the event, FIDE presented the “Outstanding Organization Award” to both the Shanghai and Chongqing organizing teams, and the “Outstanding Venue Award” to Fuling District. In a symbolic exchange, the Fuling District presented a replica of the championship trophy to FIDE.
Ms Dana Reizniece then took to the stage for the final closing speech of the ceremony. The speech started off with congratulations to both the World Champion and Runner-up, thanking them for their strength and fighting spirit, and spectacular match: “Chess is usually played in silence, but the moves spoke volumes – about the strength of the players, their character and determination to show their best, to be the best. Anyone who looked at the games – and I was among them, closely following every single one – has not been disappointed. From the first move to the final handshake, Ju and Tan have captivated us all.
While the title goes only to one person, both Ju and Tan have earned the world’s respect. From start to finish, this has been a championship to remember – full of surprising twists and turns, it brought us excitement, intensity and brilliance which has become part of the great history of chess.
This match has been a gift to the chess world – and we are all the richer for it. Tan, Ju, thank you – for everything that you have shown in this match; for everything that you have given to chess over the years; and for the hopes and anticipation you have created about your future and the future of our beloved game!”
Before officially closing the match, the speech concluded with an important message about women’s chess: “Although the match is over, it marks the beginning of a new chapter for women’s chess. My team and I have made it one of our key goals to improve women’s chess – create more events, increase prize funds and provide more support at every level, to increase the number of women players. We have been successful, but we are not done yet! Events such as this one give us the stimulus to carry on. As we do, given China’s prominent place in the chess world, we hope there will be more events and more support for this game, which, in an ever more uncertain world, enriches us all, builds bridges and opens opportunities for deeper ties and growth.”
The ceremony concluded with all dignitaries jointly pressing the “closing button,” signaling the official end of the match. A powerful cultural performance, the Emei Sword Dance, brought the evening to a close, followed by a group photo session and celebratory banquet.
As the curtain fell on the 2025 Women’s World Championship, what remained was not just the name of the winner, but the collective memory of a fighting match held across two great Chinese cities – and a celebration of chess at its finest.
Written by Charlize van Zyl
Photos: Anna Shtourman
Official website: womenworldchampionship2025.fide.com/
The final moves have been made, bringing the FIDE World Cadets & Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship 2025 in Rhodes, Greece, to a close. More than 430 boys and girls from 48 countries competed across Open and Girls categories in the U18, U16, U14, U12, U10, and U8 age groups, in both rapid and blitz formats.
After five intense days and a total of 22 rounds—11 each in rapid and blitz—the winners emerged in all 24 tournaments. Medals were awarded to some of the most talented young players in the world.
The closing ceremony, held at the Palace Hotel Rhodes, was attended by distinguished guests including Akis Delaportas, Vice Governor of the South Aegean Region; Ozgur Solakoglu, FIDE Technical Delegate; Maria-Anna Stefanini, member of the Greek Chess Federation; and Stamos Karabas, President of the Ippotis Chess Club, along with over 400 participants and their parents.
Ksenia Norman (pictured above), the winner of both Rapid and Blitz Under 18 Girls category, shared: “The tournament is at the highest level. The hotel is nice, the judges are professional. Very high result for me, I am very proud of it. I always expect the best from myself and I strive for it… For my next tournaments, I have India Open and Uzbekistan Open… My next goal is to achieve the WIM title. My main goal is to reach 2200 – 2300, and never forget to enjoy the game.”
Ergali Suleimen (pictured below), the winner of both Rapid and Blitz Under 18 Open said: “The tournament was great, organization was excellent, and a little break between rounds was great. The emotions are high-sky. The next tournament for me is the Final of Kazakhstan Championship, I will try to continue my great performance. I am now a Fide Master, so my next goal is to try to achieve IM.”
Arya Aydogan, the winner of the Blitz Under 14 Girls added: “I would like to thank the organizers for a great tournament. I started the tournament with a loss, but then I pulled myself together and came out on top. My next goal is to achieve the Women’s FIDE Master title and work toward higher titles step by step. When I play chess I am really happy – if you want to play chess, enjoy it and go for success.”
Final standings Blitz
Under 8 Open:
Under 8 Girls:
Under 10 Open:
Under 10 Girls:
Under 12 Open:
Under 12 Girls:
Under 14 Open:
Under 14 Girls:
Under 16 Open:
Under 16 Girls:
Under 18 Open:
Under 18 Girls:
Complete results: Chess-Results.com
Photos: Ippotis Chess Club Rhodes
Official website: wcyrb2025.com/
The Chinese Chess Association under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is honored to invite all National Chess Federations from Zone 3.3 and Zone 3.5 to participate in the 9th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships to be organized in Zhuhai, China from 20th (arrival) to 30th July (departure) 2025.
Regulations for full details on tie-breaks, schedules, and financial rules.
Download 9th Eastern Asia Youth 2025 – Zhuhai
Event Details
• Categories: Open & Girls U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18
• Format: Standard, Rapid, and Blitz games (FIDE rules apply)
• Venue: Zhuhai Holiday Resort (official hotel and playing venue)
Key Deadlines:
o Visa support requests: 1st June 2025
o Entry fee payment: 1st July 2025
o Hotel prepayment: 1st June 2025
Benefits for Official Participants
• One (1) official player per age group receives free board and lodging (double/triple room).
• One (1) Head of Delegation per federation accommodated free of charge.
• Title opportunities: FIDE direct titles (IM, FM, WIM, WFM, CM, WCM) for top performers.
Registration Process
1. Submit player entries through your federation only (individual registrations not accepted).
2. Ensure all players have a valid FIDE ID (FIN).
3. Transfer fees (entry, registration, and hotel if applicable) by the deadlines.
Attached Documents
Next Steps
Please confirm your federation’s participation by 1st June and submit visa requests/flight details to eachess2025@126.com
We look forward to welcoming your young talents to Zhuhai!
Best regards,
Li Kaimin Secretariat of Chinese Chess Association
Email: eachess2025@126.com
Phone: +86 15989851965
A strong field of seven Grandmasters and eight International Masters lead the field of 49 men in the Zone 3.3 Zonal Chess Championship scheduled 22 April to 2 May 2025 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Visit chess-results.com for lists of players.
Seven countries are competing in the Zonals, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and host Mongolia. The tournament is organized by the Mongolian Chess Federation under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation.
The top two (2) – the winner and runner-up players in the Open section shall qualify for the FIDE World Cup 2025. The winner of the Women’s section shall qualify for the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. At stake are a total of $15,000 in cash prizes (pre-tax).
Top seed are GMs Tin Jingyao (pictured above) rated 2597 and GM Jagadeesh Siddharth, both of Singapore. Here are the top men:
In the women’s division, three Woman Grandmasters, one International Master and four Woman IMs lead the field of 51 women players. WFM Bayanmunkh Amin-Erdene of Mongolia is top seed with a rating of 2342. Here are the top women:
GM Pouya Idani and WFM Anahita Zahedifar, both of Iran, won respectively the Zone 3.1 Men’s and Women’s Zonals held 8-15 April 2025 in Erbil, Iraq, In photo, Iraqi Chess Federation president Dhafer Abdul Ameer Madhloom awards the champion’s trophies to Idani above and to Zahedifar (below).
Twenty women from five countries participated in the women’s section, namely Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and host Iraq. Anahita Zahedifar qualifies into the FIDE Women’s World Cup.
GM Bardiya Daneshvar of Iran (above) tied for first with 8.5 points to qualify together with Idani into the FIDE World Cup. The two GMs lived up to their billing as top two seeds in the field of 46 men from ten countries, namely Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and host Iraq.
Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher makes the ceremonial opening moves in the Zone 3.1 Zonal Chess Championship in Erbil, Iraq assisted by Iraqi Chess Federation president Dhafer Abdul Ameer Madhloom and first Vice president of Iraq Olypmpic Committee Abdolsalam Khalaf.
Officials in the Zone 3.1 Men’s and Women’s Zonals led by Iraqi Chess Federation president Dhafer Abdul Ameer Madhloom (seated center) and, next, Chief Arbiter Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh of Iran.
Michel Jackson Ambuang dominated the 1799 Below FIDE Standard Rated Summer Chess Tournament 2025 dubbed as The Search for the Next Chess Master held April 13, 2025 in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines.
