Kazakhstan’s Cadets Triumph at the 2025 World Chess Championship in Almaty: Three Golds and a Team Victory
From 19 to 30 September 2025, Almaty became the chess capital of the world as it hosted the World Cadet Championship (U8–U12) at the Baluan Sholak Sports and Concert Complex. The tournament brought together 842 young chess players from 88 countries and territories, including 229 representatives of all 20 regions of Kazakhstan, the press service of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation reports.
Young Kazakhstan’s stars – eight-year-olds Alisha Bissaliyeva (G8) and Adinur Adilbek (O8), and 12-year-old Danis Kuandykuly (O12) – won gold medals, with the national team topping the standings for the second year in a row.
From 19 to 30 September 2025, Almaty became the chess capital of the world as it hosted the World Cadet Championship (U8–U12) at the Baluan Sholak Sports and Concert Complex. The tournament brought together 842 young chess players from 88 countries and territories, including 229 representatives of all 20 regions of Kazakhstan, the press service of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation reports.
Young Kazakhstan’s stars – eight-year-olds Alisha Bissaliyeva (G8) and Adinur Adilbek (O8), and 12-year-old Danis Kuandykuly (O12) – won gold medals, with the national team topping the standings for the second year in a row.
“Today we have witnessed a significant moment: Kazakhstan has once again proved itself to be a country of talent. Our young chess players defended the honour of the nation at the World Championship and climbed to the very top of the podium. Despite their young age, they showed true determination, resilience and character. They inspired us all – both the children just beginning their journey and the adults who see Kazakhstan reaching new heights. The Head of State pays special attention to the development of chess, repeatedly stressing the importance of its wide dissemination in building an intellectual nation. Thanks to consistent state support, our chess players are successfully representing the country at international tournaments,” said Yerbol Myrzabosynov, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan.
The competition became a true celebration of chess, with the young participants demonstrating skill, character and strategic talent. Kazakhstan not only staged a world-class tournament but also confirmed the strength of its chess school. In the team standings, Kazakhstan took first place with three gold medals. China and the United States shared second and third places, each with one gold, one silver and one bronze. However, China outscored the United States in total winner points – 26½ to 25½.
“We succeeded in hosting one of the largest chess tournaments at the highest level, which brought together a record number of participants and gave Almaty the atmosphere of a true festival. And it is especially symbolic that here, on home soil, our young chess players achieved historic success. Alisha, Adinur and Danis became world champions, and Kazakhstan has shown the world that we have the strongest chess school and already a new generation of leaders ready to become big stars tomorrow,” commented Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.
Results of the World Cadet Championship 2025:
Category G8 (94 participants):
1. Alisha Bissaliyeva (1704, Kazakhstan) – 9½
2. Zhu Jiahe (1630, China) – 9
3. Bold-Erdene Tselmeg (1661, Mongolia) – 8½
Category O8 (150 participants):
1. Adinur Adilbek (1935, Kazakhstan) – 9½
2. Fedor Sidelnikov (1720, FIDE) – 8½
3. Wang Yuxuan (1728, China) – 8½
Category G10 (115 participants):
1. WCM Sharvaanica Saravanan (1971, India) – 9
2. WCM Chinzorig Nandinjiguur (1887, Mongolia) – 9
3. Kiyanna Parihaar (1728, India) – 8½
Category O10 (185 participants):
1. Yuan Shunzhe (1805, China) – 9 points
2. CM Le Phan Hoang Quan (2031, Vietnam) – 9
3. AFM Mani Sarbartho (2072, India) – 8½
Category G12 (123 participants):
1. Lacey Wang (1883, USA) – 8½
2. WFM Laurie Qiu (1994, USA) – 8½
3. Milana Sokolova (1870, FIDE) – 8½
Category O12 (175 participants):
1. CM Danis Kuandykuly (2211, Kazakhstan) – 9
2. CM Ali Poyraz Uzdemir (2196, Türkiye) – 9
3. CM Ethan Guo (2330, USA) – 8½
Kazakhstan continues to shine on the world stage. In 2024 in Montesilvano (Italy), Alanna Berikkyzy (G10) and Mark Smirnov (O12) became champions, while Khanzada Amanzhol (G12) won silver, earning the country first place in the medal table. In 2023 in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), Danis Kuandykuly (O10) won gold, and Aiaru Altynbek (G12) took bronze. Three gold medals at Almaty-2025 have reinforced Kazakhstan’s leadership, and two-time world champion Danis Kuandykuly has become a symbol of the new generation.
Category G8 (94 participants):
1. Alisha Bissaliyeva (1704, Kazakhstan) – 9½
2. Zhu Jiahe (1630, China) – 9
3. Bold-Erdene Tselmeg (1661, Mongolia) – 8½
Category O8 (150 participants):
1. Adinur Adilbek (1935, Kazakhstan) – 9½
2. Fedor Sidelnikov (1720, FIDE) – 8½
3. Wang Yuxuan (1728, China) – 8½
Category G10 (115 participants):
1. WCM Sharvaanica Saravanan (1971, India) – 9
2. WCM Chinzorig Nandinjiguur (1887, Mongolia) – 9
3. Kiyanna Parihaar (1728, India) – 8½
Category O10 (185 participants):
1. Yuan Shunzhe (1805, China) – 9 points
2. CM Le Phan Hoang Quan (2031, Vietnam) – 9
3. AFM Mani Sarbartho (2072, India) – 8½
Category G12 (123 participants):
1. Lacey Wang (1883, USA) – 8½
2. WFM Laurie Qiu (1994, USA) – 8½
3. Milana Sokolova (1870, FIDE) – 8½
Category O12 (175 participants):
1. CM Danis Kuandykuly (2211, Kazakhstan) – 9
2. CM Ali Poyraz Uzdemir (2196, Türkiye) – 9
3. CM Ethan Guo (2330, USA) – 8½
Kazakhstan continues to shine on the world stage. In 2024 in Montesilvano (Italy), Alanna Berikkyzy (G10) and Mark Smirnov (O12) became champions, while Khanzada Amanzhol (G12) won silver, earning the country first place in the medal table. In 2023 in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), Danis Kuandykuly (O10) won gold, and Aiaru Altynbek (G12) took bronze. Three gold medals at Almaty-2025 have reinforced Kazakhstan’s leadership, and two-time world champion Danis Kuandykuly has become a symbol of the new generation.
“Kazakhstan has taken first place in the team standings at the World Cadet Championship for the second year in a row. Last year in Italy we won two gold medals. This year in Almaty, we claimed three golds out of six. The undisputed world leaders – China, India and the United States – each won one gold. And this success is particularly pleasing because it happened here at home, with a record 88 countries taking part. It is a tremendous achievement, and we are very proud of our talents,” said Darmen Sadvakasov, First Vice-President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.
The triumph in Almaty is not only a sporting success but also an inspiration for young chess players. Alisha Bissaliyeva, Adinur Adilbek and Danis Kuandykuly have written their names into history. Kazakhstan has established itself as a chess power, and Almaty has become the arena where new stars have risen, ready to conquer the world.
https://s1.chess-results.com/tnrWZ.aspx?SNode=S0&tno=1234777
https://s1.chess-results.com/tnrWZ.aspx?SNode=S0&tno=1234777
