The 2025 World Schools Team Chess Championship, hosted on U.S. soil, concluded with historic milestones not only for the competing teams but also for global educational transformation. Organized by the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) with the support of FIDE and Freedom Holding Corp., the tournament welcomed over 50 national delegations, solidifying its reputation as the world’s premier scholastic chess competition.
While India and Kazakhstan stood out with gold and silver medals respectively, the United States claimed a well-earned third place, marking a significant achievement in the evolution of American school chess. Beyond the scoreboard, the tournament spotlighted how Freedom Holding Corp. is redefining chess as a strategic tool for education and global cooperation.
Team USA: Tactical Strength and Strategic Growth
The American squad’s bronze medal finish was a reflection of disciplined preparation and the expanding influence of youth chess programs across the country. Arnav Solan, a pivotal reserve, brought resilience to key matchups, while Tori Porat (Board 3) delivered critical victories against strong opponents from India and Kazakhstan.
Although Jonathan Reyes and Sophia Lin did not place individually, their contributions during the semifinal battle with Germany proved vital to the team’s overall success. According to David Hayter of the U.S. Chess Federation, this result reflects a broader trend: over the past two years, the number of school chess programs in the U.S. has increased by 30%, with more students gaining international competitive experience.
Global Winners and Rising Stars
India’s team topped the standings with dynamic and aggressive gameplay. A. R. Ilamparthi (Board 4) and Pranav K. P. (Reserve, Board 5) earned gold medals, with Pranav achieving a perfect 8/8 — joining Imangali Akhilbay (Kazakhstan, Board 2) and Edisa Berdibaeva (Kyrgyzstan, Board 3) as the only undefeated players in the event.
Kazakhstan, close behind, demonstrated exceptional cohesion, led by the flawless performance of Imangali Akhilbay.
Other notable winners included Gabriel Gabadadze of Georgia, who dominated Board 1, underlining the tournament’s truly global talent pool.
Smart Moves Summit: Freedom Holding Corp. Champions Chess in Education
Parallel to the championship, the Smart Moves Summit gathered education experts, tech leaders, and policymakers for a two-day forum focused on embedding chess into academic frameworks.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich announced:
“With the sustained support of Freedom Holding Corp., we are building a global educational model anchored in strategy, logic, and collaboration. Declaring 2026 the Year of Chess in Schools is the next step toward this vision.”
Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. and President of the ISCF, added:
“Since 2023, we have been integrating chess into educational ecosystems — not just as a sport, but as a cross-cultural platform for learning and communication. The WSTC is only one part of this much larger movement.”
Freedom Holding Corp.: Scaling Impact Across Continents
As the general partner, Freedom Holding Corp. provided technological infrastructure including global live broadcasting, AI-powered game analytics, and interactive audience engagement tools — enabling over 1.5 million viewers to follow the games.
The company also launched impactful local initiatives:
- Chess and digital literacy programs for 15,000 students in Kazakhstan.
- A documentary about the Kazakh team, viewed over 500,000 times in its first week.
- Partnerships with national chess federations to integrate chess into school curricula across Central Asia and beyond.
Turlov emphasized:
“Our journey began with the inaugural tournament in Aktau in 2023. Today, we’re scaling that vision globally. We believe that access to chess is a right — not a privilege.”
Chess as the Language of the Future
The 2025 championship was more than a competition — it was a statement. The achievements of the U.S., Indian, and Kazakh teams reflect not only sporting excellence but also the transformative effect of strategic investment in youth education.
As Dvorkovich concluded:
“Chess shapes problem-solvers, innovators, and global citizens. Through our collaboration with Freedom Holding Corp. and leaders like Timur Turlov, we are transforming how the world thinks — one move at a time.”
