Samadov Takes Third at World U-20 Rapid Chess
Azerbaijan's Read Samadov earned a podium finish in the rapid section of the World U-20 Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Al Ain.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in eSports
Read Samadov finished third in the rapid section of the World U-20 Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, collecting seven points in a nine-round tournament. He finished half a point behind the leader, while Shiroglan Talibov placed eighth with 6.5 points among 91 competing players.
Why it matters
The championship brings together under-20 chess players from around the world, giving young competitors an international stage to measure their rapid play against peers. Results from events like this show how emerging players perform at the global level.
Samadov's seven points across nine rounds left him half a point off the lead among 91 competitors, while Talibov's 6.5 points secured eighth place. The blitz results, scheduled over the next two days, had not been reported.
The players
Read Samadov
Azerbaijani under-20 chess player who finished third in the rapid section of the World U-20 Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships.
Shiroglan Talibov
Azerbaijani under-20 chess player who finished eighth in the rapid section of the World U-20 Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships.
The details
The rapid tournament was held in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, and featured nine rounds of play for under-20 chess players. The blitz championship matches are scheduled to take place today and tomorrow.
Timeline
The rapid section concluded before the blitz matches began, with blitz play scheduled for the following two days.
Season Trajectory
The World U-20 Rapid and Blitz Championships operate within FIDE's broader youth championship calendar, where results at this age group often identify players for future international competition. Performances in rapid formats at this level give an early read on competitive development before players move into senior events.
Fans following the event can track blitz results over the next two days to see whether Samadov or Talibov adjust their standings. Standings in the rapid section are now set, with Samadov a half point behind the leader.
The takeaway
Strong finishes in youth rapid events often signal players to watch as their careers progress. Following blitz results will show whether these early standings hold across formats.
What happens next
The blitz championship matches are scheduled for today and tomorrow, with results to follow.
Further reading
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