The FIDE World Senior Team Chess Championship 2024 is in the books. This year, Polish Krakow, known for its iconic Market Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosted the event. The championship brought together 65 teams and 307 players (including 32 GMs) from all over the world, boasting the highest number of Grandmasters playing in a chess competition on Polish soil this year.

The event was held in 50+ and 65+ categories, with women’s teams competing in the 9-round Swiss open tournaments with classical time control.

In the 50+ competition, the USA (Jaan Ehlvest, Alexander Shabalov, Melikset Khachiyan, Igor Novikov, and Alex Yermolinsky) retained their title won last year in North Macedonia. The team’s only hiccup occurred in Round 5 when they narrowly lost to Italy.

Going into Round 7, one point behind the leaders Iceland, team USA scored a convincing victory 3-1 and forged ahead. USA finished strong, whitewashing Israel (4-0) and defeating Slovakia (2.5-1.5) and capturing the title (16/18).

Italy (pictured above), the only team to beat the champions, finished just a point behind (15/18) and took silver. England 1, led by Michael Adams, scored 14/18 and claimed bronze.

Final standings 50+:

Complete final standings 50+

The top seed England 1 (John Nunn, Anthony Kosten, Jonathan Mestel, Paul Littlewood, and Terry Chapman) emerged victorious in the fiercely competitive 65+ section, scoring an impressive 16/18. The team drew with their main rivals France and Israel 1 and won seven matches.

Israel came second netting 15/18, while France, leading with three rounds to go had to settle for bronze after losing to England 2 in Round 7 and drawing with Italy in Round 9.

Final standings 65+:

Complete final standings 65+

Photos: Mark Livshitz and Michal Walusza

Official website: worldseniorteam2024.fide.com