Jin Yuxin from Wenzhou receives his gold medal at FIDE World Cadets Cup 2026. [Photo/Wenzhou News Media Center]
At the FIDE World Cadets Cup 2026 (U8-12) in Batumi, Georgia, 8-year-old Jin Yuxin from Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, emerged as undefeated champion in the Boys' U8 category. Meanwhile, Wenzhou's Ye Xinhe secured the runner-up position in the Girls' U8 category, marking another historic achievement for Wenzhou's young chess players on the international stage.
The tournament, running from June 15 to 28, attracted 662 top young players from 67 countries and regions, making it a fiercely competitive "Youth World Cup." The Chinese Chess Association sent 17 young players to compete across all six categories, winning three golds, one silver, and one bronze.
Jin showcased remarkable skill by remaining undefeated against strong international opponents. By the seventh round, he had secured 6.5 points with six wins and one draw, tying with a Russian player and setting the stage for his victory.
Jin began his chess training at Zhuchen Chess Academy in 2022. In 2025, he won the rapid chess event at the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship and ranked in the top 10 globally in FIDE's U7 group. Early this year, he secured the Boys' U8 title at the "Li Chengzhi Cup" — the highest-level national youth competition.
Ye also performed admirably. Since 2024, she has excelled in various competitions. In 2025, she placed 13th in the "Li Chengzhi Cup" Girls' U8 category and became the runner-up in 2026.
