The International Chess Federation (FIDE) World School Chess Championship, a part of the 4th Rhodes Chess Festival, took place from April 13 – 23, at the Rodos Palace Resort Hotel, in Greece.

A very demanding and highly competitive event that saw 509 players from 54 federations compete ended with the winners crowned in each category. Round 9 started with a fast quick between WFM Anastasia Kirtadze and Lilian Eshkol, with Anastasia securing 1st place in her section.

The players, coming into the final 9th round as the leaders, secured titles in almost all the categories. The only exception was U17 section where FM Adam Tarhan came out on top after scoring an important victory, while his main rival Azeri FM Suleyman Suleymanli drew his game although he had some winning chances in the final position.

Final standing in the open categories:

U07

1. McCallum, Elliot (8) CAN
2. Nurshin, Nurali (7.5) KAZ
3. Ulan, Rizat (7) KAZ

--

U09

1. Kiringoda, Thehas Rithmitha (7.5) SRI
2. Bissaliyev, Aisultan (7) KAZ
3. Zhauynbay, Alimzhan (7) KAZ

--

U11

1. Yilmaz, Baver (8) TUR
2. Obidov, Biloliddin (7) UZB
3. Kuandykuly, Danis (6.5) KAZ

--

U13

1. Durucay, Uygar (9) TUR
2. Tenguundalai, Ganbat (7.5) MGL
3. Mamedov, Edgar (7) KAZ

--

U15

1. Kiladze, Luka (6) GEO
2. FM Celik, Hasan Huseyin TUR
3. Raczek, Krzysztof (5.5) POL

--

U17

1. FM Tarhan, Adar (7.5) TUR
2. FM Suleymanli, Suleyman (7) AZE
3. FM Filip, Andrei (6.5) ROU

--

In the U13 Yugar Durucay became the only player of the tournament to score outstanting 9 out of 9, after his victory over Kuanysh Dzhumakanov in the final round.

In the girls’ categories, there was no change in the final rankings after the last round. The top trios in all sections preserved their positions.

G7

1. Gerelt-Oyu, Tsogtgerel (8) MGL
2. Kinzyabulatova, Reana (7.5) FID
3. Rayna, Ajay Patel (7) IND

--

G9

1. Berikkyzy, Alanna (8) KAZ
2. Selmuun, Ider (8) MGL
3. Zhu, Alicia (7) USA

--

G11

1. Buyankhishig, Batpelden (8) MGL
2. Pehlivanova, Aleksandra (6.5) BUL
3. Diaskyzy, Daliya (6.5) KAZ

--

G13

1. Siskou, Evangelia (7,5) GRE
2. Urangoo, Gurvanbaatar(7,5) MGL
3. Sodgerelt, Naranbold (6.5) MGL

--

G15

1. WFM Kirtadze, Anastasia (7,5) GEO
2. Regidor, Kaye Lalaine (7) PHI
3. WCM Yildiz, Elif Zeren (6.5) TUR

--

G17

1. WIM Kairbekova, Amina (8) KAZ
2. WFM Ciftci, Zeynep (7.5) TUR
3. Akat, Elifnaz (6.5) TUR

The battle between the compatriots from Mongolia in the U13 Gurvanbaatar Urangoo – Naranbold Sodgerelt decided the 2nd and 3rd places in the category. Aleksandra Pehlivanova’s win over Kateryna Onipko lifted her to 2nd place on the podium in the U11 category.