Russia dominated the FIDE World Youth Rapid & Blitz Championship in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, collecting 15 medals across the six-day event. The Russians took 7 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze. Kazakhstan came second with 4 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze.
The tournament drew 450 young players from 40 countries competing in six age categories from U8 to U18, with separate Open and Girls' sections. The blitz finale ran 11 rounds at 3 minutes plus 2-second increment per move.
The story here is Roman Shogdzhiev. The 11-year-old IM won the U18 Open section, beating players years older and far more experienced. That's not a typical junior result. That's a kid announcing he belongs at the top table.
Russia's medal haul proves they're still the production line for young talent, even with their limited international competition. The depth of their program shows in both rapid and blitz formats.