Exciting News: ChessKid Youth Championship Returns in 2025
The much-anticipated ChessKid Youth Championship is making a grand return for its second edition in 2025. Chess enthusiasts around the world are buzzing with excitement as this online blitz event promises to showcase the exceptional skills of the youngest prodigies in the game, offering fans a thrilling glimpse into the bright future of chess.
The championship will feature a lucrative $15,000 prize fund and will be divided into two groups. The under-13 group is scheduled to compete on May 3 and 4, while the under-16 group will battle it out on June 7 and 8. Each group will engage in a double round-robin format, with the top two players from each group progressing to a knockout final, all under a 3+1 blitz time control.
Renowned as Chess.com’s premier event for young players, the ChessKid Youth Championship is a prestigious platform that serves as a proving ground for the 24-player field of record-breaking young talents. Among the elite competitors returning to defend his crown is GM Erdogmus, a 13-year-old chess prodigy from Turkiye. Erdogmus made headlines in 2024 when he became the youngest player to surpass the 2600 rating threshold. The talented young player also clinched victory in both the under-13 and under-16 sections of the previous ChessKid Youth Championships, establishing himself as a formidable force in the chess world.
Joining Erdogmus is another rising star, the young IM Fausti from Argentina. Dubbed as the “Messi of Chess,” Fausti captured global attention when he earned the title of the youngest international master in history, showcasing his exceptional skills and potential to become one of the game’s future greats.
The under-16 group is stacked with exceptional talent, including GM Wei, the youngest ever to achieve the grandmaster title; GM Puzzles Champion Xu; history-making British grandmaster Pryor; Women’s American Cup winner IM Rai; IM-elect Bhat; Women’s Chinese Champion IM Zhang; as well as IMs Chen, Park, Son, and Wu.
Fans can also expect to witness familiar faces in the under-13 group, such as WFM Bodhana, the World Under-8 Champion, and the youngest player to represent England at the Olympic level. Joining her is the talented FM Pang, who made waves in the chess world by breaking records and becoming the youngest player to surpass the 2300 rating mark at just 10 years old.
The under-13 category boasts a lineup of impressive young talents, including the 2024 FIDE World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championship double-gold winner WFM Ling; 2023 Youth Speed Chess Championship victor IM Wang; the youngest-ever to defeat a grandmaster CM Zhang; as well as FMs Chen, Li, Tsai, Wang, Yang, and Zhang.
Chess enthusiasts can catch all the action live on Chess.com and Twitch channels, beginning with the under-13 group matches on May 3 and 4 at 9 a.m. ET / 15:00 CEST / 6:30 p.m. IST. Tune in to witness the thrilling battles and strategic moves by the youngest stars of the game, accompanied by live commentary from GM Williams and FM Shahade.
As the anticipation builds, the question remains – who will emerge victorious in each group? Share your predictions in the comments below and stay tuned for the ChessKid Youth Championship 2025 to witness history in the making.
History in the Making: ChessKid Youth Championship 2025
The ChessKid Youth Championship 2025 is set to be a momentous event in the world of chess, showcasing the incredible talent and potential of young players from around the globe. With a prize fund of $15,000 up for grabs, the competition promises fierce battles and strategic brilliance as the next generation of chess prodigies take center stage.
Among the returning champions and rising stars competing in this year’s championship, GM Erdogmus from Turkiye stands out as a force to be reckoned with. Having already made waves in the chess world by surpassing the 2600 rating threshold at just 13 years old, Erdogmus is a formidable contender looking to defend his title and solidify his position as one of the brightest young talents in the game.
Joining Erdogmus is the young IM Fausti from Argentina, whose exceptional skills and rapid rise to becoming the youngest international master in history have earned him the nickname “Messi of Chess.” Fausti’s natural talent and strategic prowess make him a player to watch in the under-16 category, where he will face off against a field of equally talented opponents.
In the under-16 group, fans can expect to see GM Wei, the youngest grandmaster ever, showcasing his incredible skill and determination on the board. With a lineup that includes GM Puzzles Champion Xu, British grandmaster Pryor, and Women’s American Cup winner IM Rai, the competition is sure to be fierce and unpredictable, with each player vying for a chance to claim the championship title.
Meanwhile, the under-13 category features a lineup of rising stars, including World Under-8 Champion WFM Bodhana and FM Pang, who made history by surpassing the 2300 rating mark at just 10 years old. With players like 2024 FIDE World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championship double-gold winner WFM Ling and the youngest-ever to defeat a grandmaster CM Zhang in the mix, the under-13 group promises exciting and intense matches that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
As the ChessKid Youth Championship 2025 kicks off, fans can tune in to Chess.com and Twitch channels to witness the action live, with expert commentary from GM Williams and FM Shahade providing insights into the players’ moves and strategies. With the stage set for history to be made, the championship is sure to deliver thrilling moments and unexpected outcomes as the young prodigies battle it out for glory.
Stay tuned for updates, highlights, and analysis from the ChessKid Youth Championship 2025, and don’t miss the opportunity to witness the future stars of chess in action. Who will emerge victorious? Share your predictions and join in the excitement as the next generation of chess champions make their mark on the game.
