The FIDE World Cup U8-12, taking place in Batumi, entered its decisive playoff phase. After seven exciting rounds, the young chess players fighting for medals emerged in all age categories.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich attended the penultimate round and made the first ceremonial move to the first board in the U12 category.

Also, the FIDE President awarded the FIDE Centenary Medals to Akaki Iashvili and Zurab Azmaiparashvili, President of the European Chess Union, for their special services to FIDE and their long-term contribution to the development of chess in Georgia and the world.

Here is the list of contenders for the trophies at the FIDE World Junior Cup 2024:

Open U8

Rizat Ulan (KAZ, 1733) and Aiden Linyuan Li (USA, 1853; pictured below) will fight for gold, while in the match for third place, Swain Sattwik (IND, 1567) takes on  Azad Khuduzade (AZE, 1461).

Open U10

Nurali Bolashakov (KAZ, 1843; pictured below) and  Chenxuan Ling (USA, 1868) will square it off for gold, while Reyaansh Chakrabarty (AUS,  2185) and Platon Zabelin (FID, 1799) will play a match for gold.  

Open U12

Qu Haoming (CHN, 1877; pictured below) and Biloliddin Obidov (UZB, 1998) will lock horns playing for gold, whereas Damir Bulgak (FID 1931) and Gabriel Gabadadze (GEO, 1975) compete for bronze.

Girls U8

The winners of their respective groups, Stella Xin (USA, 1812; pictured below) and Reana Kinzyabulatova (FIDE,  1504), will compete for the title in the final, while Chen, Zhihan (CHN) and Elizabeth Xia (USA, 1635) will battle it out for bronze.     

Girls U10

Milana Filippova (KAZ, 1633; pictured below) and Alisa Genrietta Yunker (FIDE, 1735) are to determine the champion in their match, while Husnorakhon Khusnitdinova (UZB, 1514) and Angelina Ambartsumyan (FIDE, 1594) will play for bronze.

Girls U12

Xue Tianhao (CHN, 1754; pictured below) and Pratitee Bordoloi (IND, 1796) will fight for gold, while in a match for bronze, Kristina Zavivaeva (FIDE, 1666) will take on Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana (SRI, 1980).

Official website: wcc2024.fide.com

Live games:
chess.com/events/2024-fide-world-cup-u8-group-a/games

Video and live commentaries:
youtube.com/watch?v=3yXvGJwXe3w&ab_channel=chessingeorgia64

Photos:  Sophie Nikoladze and Tornike Tavadze