The 2024 World Senior Championship concluded in Porto Santo, the stunning "Golden Island" of the Atlantic Ocean. After 11 thrilling rounds, four champions emerged: Alerxander Shabalov (United States) in the 50+ section, Rainer Knaak (Germany) in the 65+, Masha Klinova (Israel) in the Women 50+ and Brigitte Buerchardt in the Women 65+.
The 50+ Open section, featuring 15 grandmasters, was a tightly contested competition. Alexander Shabalov of the USA clinched the title winning the final neck-to-neck sprint against Poland's Michal Krasenkow. Both GMs finished tied on 8.5 points, but the American benefited from a better tie-break to take home the crown.
Interestingly, in the game between the two, played in the fifth round, Shabalov missed a real chance to win a rook ending and eventually had to settle for a draw.
In the final 11th round, Shabalov beat his compatriot and fellow grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov, while Krasenkow, who lead for many rounds, was held to a draw by German grandmaster Frank Holzke.
Third place went to Israeli grandmaster Victor Mikhalevski one of the great entertainers of the tournament, who scored 8/11 and took bronze.
IM Sérgio Rocha became the best Portuguese player in this section placing 29th with 6/11.
German GM Rainer Knaak dominated the 65+ competition finishing in a clear first place with 8.5/11. The second seed seized the lead in Round 9 after beating Lubomir Ftacnik and never looked back.
Israeli IM Alexander Mikhalevski (Victor's brother) was second with 7 points, edging out Slovak GM Lubomir Ftacnik who also scored 7/11, on tiebreaks.
A standout performance came from FM António Pereira dos Santos (Portugal), seeded 23rd, who achieved a remarkable fifth-place finish. The Portuguese player closed the tournament on a high note by beating Brazilian grandmaster Jaime Sunye Neto.
The women's tournament merged the 50+ and 65+ categories and saw 36 players competing. Israeli IM Masha Klinova, Frenchwoman IM Silvia Alexieva both totalled 8 points and tied for first place with Klimova claiming the title thanks to slightly better Buchholz tiebreak.
WGM Tatyana Grabuzova (Spain), completed the women’s 50+ podium in third place.
Finishing 10th in the tournament, WIM Brigitte Burchardt (Germany) won the +65 title ahead of the renowned Nona Gaprindashvili (Georgia). The 83-year-old Gaprindashvili, a former World Champion, remains a formidable force in chess, finishing second in her category. Tatyana Bogumil, playing under the FIDE flag took third place.
Organised by the Portuguese Chess Federation (FPX) with the support of FIDE, the 2024 World Senior Championship, brought together two hundred players from all around the world. Combining the quality of the tournaments, high-level competition with the unique atmosphere of the island of Porto Santo, known as the Golden Island, a paradise in the Atlantic Ocean, contributed to the event’s resounding success.
Written by Paulo Felizes, FPX Head Press Officer
Photos: FPX
Official website: worldsenior.fpx.pt/
