The 2025 FIDE World School Chess Championship in Vrnjačka Banja has concluded, bringing together 470 young players from 43 national federations in a thrilling competition. Kazakhstan emerged as the most successful nation, winning four gold, three silver, and one bronze medal across twelve tournaments in six age categories.
The home crowd had much to celebrate as Leonid Ivanović claimed silver in the Under-11 category, and Andrej Ljepić secured second place in the Under-17 category.
2025 FIDE World School Championship winners:
Open U7
1. Kairat, Abdul-Malik (KAZ) – 9 points
2. Om, Esh Gottumukala (IND) – 7½
3. Fatkhlislamov, Oskar (FIDE) – 6½
Girls U7
1. Pragnika, Vaka Lakshmi (IND) – 9
2. Azamkhujaeva, Mohinur (UZB) – 7
3. Xu, Vera Jintian (NZL) – 7
Open U9
1. Nematillakhonov, Nurmuhammad (UZB) – 7½
2. Sultankhan, Nurislam (KAZ) – 7
3. Bondarev, Fedor (FIDE) – 7
Girls U9
1. Bissaliyeva, Alisha (KAZ) – 8
2. Uranzaya, Shagdarsuren (MGL) – 8
3. Asadova, Madinabonu (UZB) – 7½
Open U11
1. Zhauynbay, Alimzhan (KAZ) – 7
2. Ivanovic, Leonid (SRB) – 7
3. Uzdemir, Ali Poyraz (TUR) – 6½
Girls U11
1. Nandinjiguur, Chinzorig (MGL) – 8
2. Divi, Bijesh (IND) – 8
3. Munkh-Ayalguu, Dorjderem (MGL) – 6½
Open U13
1. Yurasov, Matfey (FIDE) – 7½
2. Obidov, Biloliddin (UZB) – 7
3. Baturin-Vinogradov, Miroslav (FIDE) – 7
Girls U13
1. Begmuratova, Sarvinoz (UZB) – 7½
2. Amanzhol, Khanzada (KAZ) – 6½
3. Gaer, Sofiya Ig (FIDE) – 6½
Open U15
1. Scheglov, Gleb (FIDE) – 8
2. Tabatadze, Erekle (GEO) – 7
3. Kabinazar, Nurmukhammed (KAZ) – 7
Girls U15
1. Imomkuzieva, Nilufarkhon (UZB) – 7
2. Japparbekova, Malika (KAZ) – 6½
3. Ferrer Naranjo, Liennys (CUB) – 6
Open U17
1. Bogdanov, Artyom (KAZ) – 7
2. Ljepic, Andrej (SRB) – 7
3. Elmirzaev, Khondamir (UZB) – 6½
Girls U17
1. Buyankhishig, Batpelden (MGL) – 7½
2. Kirtadze, Anastasia (GEO) – 7
3. Newansa, M Esandi (SRI) – 6
The solemn and well-attended closing ceremony featured addresses from key chess officials. Özgür Solakoğlu, a representative of FIDE, praised the Chess Federation of Serbia for organizing an exceptional event. In his speech, he expressed hope that Serbia would once again host future FIDE competitions.
Then Boban Đurović, the mayor of Vrnjačka Banja, took the floor, followed by Andrija Jorgić, president of the Chess Federation of Serbia, who officially declared the tournament closed.
“Do not forget that chess is a knight’s game, and that the one sitting across from you is not your enemy but your opponent at the chessboard,” Jorgić reminded the participants.
The FIDE World School Chess Championship was not the only major tournament held in Serbia. The country is also set to host the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship in November 2025, further cementing its reputation as a premier chess destination.
Photos: Andrej Jovanovic/Chess Federation of Serbia
Official website: worldschool2025.fide.com