Kazakh teenagers win bronze at Youth Chess Olympiad in Colombia

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Young chess players from Kazakhstan have returned from Colombia with a bronze medal at the World Youth Chess Olympiad, strengthening the country’s position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-rising chess nations.

According to DKNews.kz, the Olympiad, held in Barranquilla from August 16 to 22, brought together 85 teams from 41 countries. Kazakhstan fielded two squads, with the Kazakhstan-2 team, coached by Ukrainian Grandmaster Alexander Moiseenko, claiming third place after a decisive final-round victory over host nation Colombia.

The bronze was secured thanks to strong performances by Artyom Bogdanov, Danis Kuandykuly, and Zarina Nurgaliyeva, who combined steady draws with crucial wins in the last round. Their result placed Kazakhstan alongside powerhouses such as Uzbekistan and China, both tied on points but separated by tiebreaks.

Kazakhstan-1, coached by Grandmaster Boris Grachev, also impressed with a top-ten finish and two standout individual results. Alan Petukhov won silver on the third board, registering one of the highest performances of the tournament, while Sauat Nurgaliyev earned bronze on the top board against elite competition.

The results highlight the growing depth of Kazakhstan’s youth chess program. Just two years ago, in Eindhoven, the country narrowly missed the podium.

This year’s breakthrough in Barranquilla — with both team and individual medals — underscores steady progress and signals that a new generation of Kazakh players is ready to compete with the world’s best.