Brasilia, November 10, 2024 – The Europe Today: Uzbekistan’s Afruza Hamdamova has secured the world champion title ahead of schedule in the Girls U16 category at the World Youth Chess Championship in Brazil. In a decisive 10th-round match, Hamdamova won with the black pieces against India’s Mrittika Mallick, bringing her score to an impressive 9.5 points.
Hamdamova, who became Uzbekistan’s first female chess world champion in 2023 by winning the U14 World Youth Championships in Italy, now stands undefeated in the tournament. Today, in the final 11th round, she will face Zarina Nurgaliyeva of Kazakhstan, though her title remains secure with her current lead.
Among the tournament’s top contenders, Charis Peglau from Germany and Zarina Nurgaliyeva follow with 7.5 points each.
