From February 16–27, 2025, Prague hosted the World Senior Team Chess Championship. After over ten days and nine exciting rounds, the champions emerged in every category.
50+ Category
Top-seeded USA (GM Ehlvest, GM Kaidanov, GM Shabalov, GM Novikov, and IM Rachels) secured first place in the 50+ competition, finishing with 15/18 points after defeating Confluentia in the final round.
Team Italy (GM David, GM Godena, IM Bellini, IM Bellia, and IM D’Amore) also won their last match, equaling the USA’s score but had to settle for silver due to inferior tiebreaks (game points).
Kazakhstan (GM Kazhgaleyev, GM Kotsur, GM Temirbayev, IM Tikzhanov, and IM Min), who led the event after eight rounds, faced a tough last-round pairing against England 1. After tense battles on all four boards, the match ended in a draw, leaving Kazakhstan with bronze, while England 1 finished in fourth place.
Several players had a truly amazing event and delivered outstanding performances. GM Michael Adams scored 6.5/8 on the top board, only losing to GM Ftacnik in round seven, earning him the gold medal for board one.
GM Alexander Shabalov (USA) claimed gold on board three. GM Mark Hebden (England) dominated board four. IM Carlo D’Amore greatly contributed to Italy’s success, winning the reserve board medal.
England 1 (GM Nunn, GM Flear, GM Kosten, IM Large, and FM Chapman) dominated the 65+ category from start to finish, playing on the top board from round two onwards and conceding only two match draws.
Lasker Schachstiftung GK (GM Knaak, GM Jussupow, GM Meister, and Dr. Koehler), the top-seeded team, remained undefeated but managed only five match wins, finishing second. Germany’s Saxonia secured the bronze medal.
Legendary GMs Rainer Knaak and Artur Jussupow convincingly won their respective frist and second boards.
FM Mario Sibilio played amazing chess and delivering exceptional performance on board three. IM Large (England 1), scored an impressive 7/8, becoming the best performer on board four. The medal for the reserve board goes to IM Giffard of France 1.
The women’s teams competed in the same pools as the men but were ranked separately.
In the 50+ category, Czech Republic claimed gold, finishing ahead of China (silver) and the USA (bronze).
In the 65+ category, Latvia took first place, followed by Czech Republic (silver) and Poland (bronze).
This event once again proved that age is just a number, but chess is timeless.
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Official website: https://www.wstcc2025.net/
Photos: Ave Chess and Mark Livshitz