Kazakhstan continues to cement its place as a global chess powerhouse, as young prodigies bring home two medals from the World Cadets Cup 2025 in Batumi, DKnews.kz reports.
The city of Batumi, Georgia, played host to the prestigious FIDE World Cadets Cup 2025, a global battleground for the brightest young minds in chess. Competing in age categories under 8, 10, and 12, Kazakhstan’s young talents delivered a stunning performance — bringing home gold and bronze medals, as confirmed by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.
Alisha Bisalieva from Astana stole the spotlight in the girls U8 category. Already a reigning world school champion (U9), Alisha reaffirmed her dominance on the international stage. In a commanding performance in the final, she defeated Varvara Volkova (FID) in two straight classical games — securing the gold medal for Kazakhstan in style.
Meanwhile, in the same age category among boys, Adinur Adilbek clinched the bronze medal. Facing Bogdan Kalinin (FID) in the third-place playoff, Adinur showed maturity beyond his years, sealing victory with a confident 1½–½ score.
Kazakhstan’s presence didn’t stop there.
Iman Nabiyev, hailing from the Kostanay region, competed in the boys U10 category and fought fiercely for a podium finish. Despite a valiant effort, he narrowly missed out on bronze, losing to Aarit Kapil of India, and placed a respectable fourth overall — a performance that highlights the depth of Kazakhstan’s rising chess generation.
A Unique Tournament Format That Tested Grit and Skill
The World Cadets Cup followed a rigorous two-stage format. In the first phase, players were divided into two balanced groups (by average rating) within each age category, each group featuring 24 players. They played 7 rounds under classical time control (90+30) following the Swiss system.
In the second phase, players who placed similarly in their respective groups (1st to 24th) faced off in head-to-head matches to determine final standings. Each playoff match consisted of:
- 2 classical games (90+30)
- If tied: 2 rapid games (15+2)
- If still tied: blitz games (3+2) until a winner emerged
The format demanded not only skill but also consistency, stamina, and psychological resilience — qualities that Kazakhstan’s cadets displayed in abundance.
A Bright Chess Future for Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s success in Batumi isn’t just a cause for national pride — it’s a sign of sustainable development in youth chess. The medal-winning performances by Alisha and Adinur, along with Iman’s near-podium finish, reflect a strong foundation of talent, training, and competitive spirit.
These rising stars are more than just champions — they are the future of Kazakh chess.
As the world takes notice, one thing is clear: Kazakhstan’s cadets are not just participating — they are dominating. With passion, preparation, and national support, they are paving the way for a golden generation of players ready to make their mark on the global stage.
