The 2024 European Senior Chess Championships concluded yesterday in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy.
The event was played in two age categories: 50+ and 65+, with separate Women’s 50+ competition, while the Women’s 65+ section was merged with the Open and the best ranked players were crowned European Women’s Senior 65+ Chess Champions.
Intense final round determined the Winners in all categories. After nine played rounds, as many as three players scored 7 points each and tied for the top of the Open 50+ Championship: GM Mikheil Kekelidze (GEO, 2348), IM Edwin Van Haastert (NED, 2415) and GM Martin Mrva (SVK, 2384). Georgian Grandmaster Mikheil Kekelidze had the best tiebreak criteria to clinch the title, Edwin Van Haastert won silver and Martin Mrva claimed bronze.
GM Zurab Sturua (GEO, 2502) emerged as the sole Winner of the 65+ Championship with the score of 7.5 points. He was half a point ahead of GM Lubomir Ftacnik (SVK, 2444) who clinched silver medal with 7 points, while five players tied for bronze medal scoring 6.5 points each. GM Rainer Knaak (GER, 2458) had the best tiebreak criteria and came third.
IM Silvia Alexieva (FRA, 2181) and WGM Tatiana Grabuzova (ESP, 2169) tied for the top of the Women’s 50+ Championship scoring 8/9 points each. IM Silvia Alexieva had slightly better tiebreaks to win gold, while WGM Tatiana Grabuzova claimed silver medal. WGM Marina Makropoulou (GRE, 2082) scored 6 points to win bronze medal.
WIM Brigitte Burchardt (GER, 2101) emerged as the best-ranked female player in the 65+ Championship field and clinched the European Women’s Senior 65+ Chess Champion title. Brigitte Burchardt scored 5.5 points and finished the event in the overall 14th place. GM Nona Gaprindashvili (GEO, 2243) was second with 4.5 points, and WFM Mira Kierzek (GER, 1967) came third with 3.5 points.
Final rankings and all results can be found here.
Photos by Patricia Claros Aguilar
