Kazakhstan wins 7 gold medals at the 2026 U7–U17 World Championships

Seven Gold Medals: Kazakhstan Dominates the U7–U17 World Championship in Roquetas de Mar

At a world championship for young players, victory is rarely predictable. Ratings do not always reflect a player’s true strength, favourites drop points, and a single precise move can change the course of a tournament. But when players from one country win more than half the available titles, the results speak for themselves.

That was the story of the U7–U17 World Chess Championship in Roquetas de Mar, Spain. Kazakhstan claimed 13 medals—seven gold, two silver and four bronze—to finish comfortably at the top of the medal table. Behind those figures were victories across several age groups and individual performances that deserve a closer look.

A Tournament Bringing Together 82 Countries

The championship attracted 721 players from 82 countries. At the Evenia Zoraida venue, young competitors contested 12 sections: Open and Girls’ events in the under-7, under-9, under-11, under-13, under-15 and under-17 age groups. After eleven rounds, the players and medallists were honoured at the closing ceremony.

One notable feature was the time control: 45 minutes per player, with a 30-second increment per move. FIDE presented this rated format as fast classical—a shorter version of classical chess. It allows room for serious, thoughtful play while requiring players to make decisions more quickly and manage their time carefully.

Kazakhstan’s Seven World Champions

Kazakh players won four Open sections and three Girls’ events.

Alima Akimkhan and Aldiyar Zharas earned silver medals. Rauan Bakhyt, Alimzhan Zhauynbay, Aiaru Altynbek and Mariya Kholyavko took bronze.

Milana Filippova: Eleven Games, Eleven Wins

The standout performance came from Milana Filippova, who won every game in the Girls U11 section. Her nearest rival finished with eight points, leaving the champion a remarkable three points clear.

Danis Kuandykuly was almost as dominant, scoring 10.5 out of 11 in the Open U13 section. He finished a point and a half ahead of the silver medallist.

Such results are particularly impressive over eleven rounds. A single brilliant combination is never enough to sustain that level of performance. Players must stay focused after victories, handle the pressure and approach each opponent’s challenges with fresh concentration.

For a young competitor, it is also a test of independent judgement. Once the game begins, a coach cannot advise them when to attack, whether to exchange pieces or how to convert an advantage.

Why This Success Goes Beyond the Medal Table

The defining feature of Kazakhstan’s performance was its breadth. The titles were spread across several age groups, with medals coming in both the Open and Girls’ sections.

That points to a strong group of young players. However, attributing the results solely to chess schools, coaches or particular development programmes would require further evidence. What the tournament clearly demonstrated was the Kazakh players’ ability to turn their potential into results on the international stage.

Youth titles do not guarantee future success in adult competition. The next stage will demand deeper knowledge, encounters with stronger opponents and the resilience to cope with inevitable setbacks.

The Work Continues After the Medal Ceremony

Roquetas de Mar marked a major chess success for Kazakhstan. For the champions themselves, however, the tournament’s value extends beyond the medals. They now have experience of competing for a world title—and the knowledge that they can rise to that challenge.

Today, their names sit at the top of world championship standings in their age groups. Their next task is to keep improving as the opposition grows stronger and victories become harder to earn. That journey will determine what comes next after the seven gold medals won in Spain.