Ema Jakša sets new personal best at World Youth Rapid & Blitz

Ema Jakša, a young Slovenian chess player and a member of Cercle d’Échecs Gambit Bonnevoie, has returned from the FIDE World U9–U17 Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2025 in Antalya, Turkey, with her strongest world-level results to date. Competing in the Girls U11 category, she finished 6th in Rapid (5.5/9) and an impressive 4th in Blitz (6.5/9), narrowly missing out on a medal once again on tie-breaks.

Earlier this summer, Ema also placed 4th in Blitz at the European Youth Rapid & Blitz Championship in Thessaloniki (U12), again decided by tie-break criteria. She had already made her mark in Prague in 2024, where she captured the European Youth Rapid title (Girls U10) with a perfect score, earned 3rd place in Blitz, and finished 4th in standard – also on tie-breaks.

Ema’s run in Antalya featured several standout performances, highlighted by a draw against multiple-time youth world champion Alisa Genrietta Yunker, as well as wins over opponents who have already claimed medals at major international events.