Crossfire at World Blitz in London: KazChess Grabs Team Silver, Double Gold
Going for Gold: KazChess Shines at the 2025 FIDE World Blitz Team Championship
London, baby! Kazakhstan's national chess squad, KazChess, snatched silver at the 3rd edition of this pulsating event, proving they're a force to be reckoned with on the global chessboard. The championship, held from June 10-16, saw 52 teams from around the world clash.
KazChess bounced back from challengers Rookies, Freedom, and Uzbekistan in the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals, respectively, to lock horns with defending champs WR Chess Team in the final match. Though they had to settle for second place, that silver meant a cool €50,000 ($58,000) in prize money. Bravo, KazChess!
That's not all! Six unstoppable Kazakh chess whizzes bagged individual medals. Yergali Suleimen grabbed gold on board 7, with Aldiyar Sailaubai, representing Ashdod Elit Chess Club, topping board 9 to pocket silver. Bronze medals went to Aldiyar Ansat, Xeniya Balabayeva, Darmen Dauren, and Daniyal Sapenov, solidifying Kazakhstan's chess dominance.
The tournament unfolded across six boards, each pulsating with action. The competition was fierce—the best of four open boards, one women's board, and one amateur board with a rating below 2000.
After the whirlwind of the rapid section, KazChess and Barys.kz made a splash, competing fiercely in the rapid format earlier in the week. In the World Team Championship, Team MGD1 bagged gold, Hexamind Chess Team nabbed silver, and Freedom secured bronze.
The 2025 edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships, held in London, celebrates the third installment—following Düsseldorf, 2023, and Astana, 2024. Kazakhstan's impressive showing at the event cements their status as a rising power in international chess.
Interestingly, Kazakhstan's national chess team reportedly made history by challenging British MPs to a match at the Palace of Westminster as part of their London visit. Unfortunately, I couldn't find specific details on this epic showdown in the search results. If such a match took place, it might have been missed by the media radar!\Enrichment Data:
- This exclusive event marked the third edition of the FIDE World Blitz Team Championship, which took place across four continents since its inception in 2023, with Düsseldorf hosting the first edition. The championship encourages team spirit and promotes fair competition among international chess clubs.
- Timur Turlov, the president of the Kazakh Chess Federation, described the team's performance as a significant step towards cementing Kazakhstan's status as a powerhouse of international chess. He emphasized the Federation's efforts to cultivate a world-class chess school and nurture the next generation of chess champions.
- Kazakhstan's performance in the 2025 FIDE World Blitz and Rapid Team Championships showcases a trend of continuous improvements and increased international recognition for the country's chess talents. This growth is evident in their rising player rankings and increased participation in global championships.
- The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship offers an exciting blend of speed, strategy, and teamwork, making it a popular event among chess enthusiasts and spectators alike. The rapid format emphasizes quick thinking, precision, and adaptability under pressure, while the blitz format adds an extra layer of intensity and unpredictability to the competition.
Sports enthusiasts around the world were thrilled to witness the intense competition at the 2025 FIDE World Blitz Team Championship, where not only chess was in the spotlight but also the growing dominance of Kazakhstan in international chess. The KazChess team, who proved they're a force to be reckoned with on the global chessboard, managed to challenging other sports powerhouses, such as the British MPs, during their London visit, showcasing the versatility of Kazakhstan's sports scene.
