
15th European Senior Chess Championship
The 15th European Senior Chess Championships were held in Eretria, Greece, from the 28th of April to the 8th of May, 2015. There were two sections: Over 50 and Over 65. The tournaments were nine round Swiss with time controls of 40 moves in 90 minutes, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game + 30 seconds increment per move, starting from move one.
The official venue was the conference center of the four-star Eretria Village Hotel, which is near the ancient city of Eretria. Here are some pictures (from Booking.com) to make you feel envious or look forward to becoming a senior:




Group photo of some of the lucky participants

The European Senior Championships 2015 under way in Eretria
Georgian GM Zurab Sturua, rated 2536, started as as one of the favorites in the Over 50 group – and as the reigning World Senior Champion. He finished a point ahead of top seed John Nunn, 2601, who finished sole second.

The winners of the Over 50 section: John Nunn, Zurab Sturua and Keith Arkell (Bronze)

World and now European Senior Champion GM Zurab Sturua, 55, who won the
Georgian Championship in 1975, 1977, 1981, 1984 and 1985 and played for
Georgia in the Chess Olympiads of 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002.
Top final standings of the Euro Senior Championship over 50 (nine rounds)

John Nunn, above in his round one game against Spiridon Ilandzis, won second place in the Over 50 section. He tells us that Eretria and the hotel not exactly conducive to vicious battles on the chessboard. "You go for nice walks, enjoy the sunny, warm weather, the scenery, the sea, and then you tend to allow a tame draw in the afternoon." John, who recently turned sixty, was one of the oldest players in the Over 50 section. He kindly annotated a game for us.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 a6 4.Be3 d6 5.h4 h5 6.Qd2 b5 7.0-0-0 Bb7 8.Nh3 Nd7 9.Ng5 e6 9...Ngf6 10.e5! dxe5 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Qxd8+ Rxd8 13.Rxd8+ Kxd8 14.f4 Nfg4 15.Bd2 9...Rc8 10.Kb1 Ngf6 11.f3 0-0? 11...Qe7 12.g4! b4 12...hxg4 13.h5 gxh5 14.fxg4 Nxg4 14...hxg4 15.Qh2 15.Be2! Ndf6 16.Bxg4 Nxg4 17.Rxh5 13.Ne2 hxg4 14.Ng3 14.h5 Nxh5 15.fxg4 Nhf6 14...gxf3 15.h5 Nxh5 15...gxh5 16.Bd3! 16.Rxh5 16.Nxh5 gxh5 17.Rxh5 Nf6 18.Rh4 16...gxh5 17.Nxh5 Nf6 17...Qe7 18.Bc4! d5 19.Nxg7 Kxg7 20.Rg1 18.Qh2 Re8 18...Ng4 19.Qh4 Nxe3 20.Nf6+ 18...Bxe4 19.Nxf6+ Qxf6 20.Nxe4 Qg6 21.Bd3 f5 22.Rg1 Qh7 23.Bh6 fxe4 24.Bxe4 Qxe4 25.Rxg7+ Kh8 26.Rg1 19.Bd3 e5 19...Nxh5 20.Qxh5 Qf6 21.e5 20.Nxg7 Kxg7 21.Nh7! Ng4 21...Nxh7 22.Qh6+ Kh8 23.Rh1 22.Rg1 Bc8 22...Qg5 23.Rxg4! Qxg4 24.Qh6+ 23.Qh6+ Kg8 24.Nf6+ Qxf6 25.Qxf6 1–0
- Start an analysis engine:
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- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
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Nunn,J | - | Smolin,S | - | 1–0 | 2015 | B06 | European Senior Ch 50+ | |
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Replay games

Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Select games from the dropdown menu above the board
Over 65 European Championship
Whereas the favorites were able to fulfil expectations in the Over 50 group there was a big surprise in the Over 65 section: the relatively unknown Belgian player Jan Rooze tied with Russian GM Viktor Kupreichik, who is known for his fantastic attacking style, for first place and beat him on tie-break points. GM Evgeni Vasiukov followed a point behind the two leaders for Bronze, while former Women's World Champion Nona Gaprindashvili was one point behind him in fifth place.
Top final standings of the Euro Senior Championship over 65 (nine rounds)
Replay games

Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Select games from the dropdown menu above the board