Press release by FIDE
From February 16–27, 2025, Prague hosted the World Senior Team Chess Championship. After over ten days and nine exciting rounds, champions emerged in each 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 match points after defeating the German squad Confluentia in the final round.
Team Italy (GM David, GM Godena, IM Bellini, IM Bellia and IM D'Amore) also won their last match, against Hungary, equalling the USA's score. However, the Italians 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.
Team USA facing Confluentia from Germany in the final round
Several players had a truly amazing event and delivered outstanding performances. GM Michael Adams scored 6½/8 on the top board for England, only losing to GM Lubomir Ftacnik in round seven, earning him the gold medal for board one.
GM Pavel Kotsur (Kazakhstan) grabbed gold on board two, while 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.
The legendary Michael Adams
| Rk. | Team | Games | + | = | - | TB1 | TB2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 24 | |
| 2 | Italy | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 23 | |
| 3 | Kazakhstan | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 24 | |
| 4 | England 1 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 24,5 | |
| 5 | England 2 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 24 | |
| 6 | Slovakia | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 22 | |
| 7 | Confluentia | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 22 | |
| 8 | Hungary | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 20,5 | |
| 9 | Canada | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 20,5 | |
| 10 | ŠK Moravská Slavia | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 20 | |
| 11 | Iceland | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 21,5 | |
| 12 | Czech Republic | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 21,5 | |
| 13 | Sweden | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 20 | |
| 14 | Scotland 2 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 20 | |
| 15 | Denmark | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 19 |
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 Yusupov, GM Meister, and Dr. Koehler), the top-seeded team, remained undefeated but managed only five match wins, finishing second.
Germany's Saxonia (Kyas, FM Schmidt, FM Baum, Pruefer and Okrajek) secured the bronze medal, as they outscored Israel by a mere half point in individual games.
Legendary GMs Rainer Knaak and Artur Yusupov convincingly won individual gold medals on boards one and two, respectively.
FM Mario Sibilio (Italy) played amazing chess and delivered an exceptional performance on board three. IM Peter Large (England 1) scored an impressive 7/8 to become the best performer on board four. The medal for the reserve board went to IM Nicolas Giffard (France 1).
It was a very successful tournament for Dr. John Nunn
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 the Czech Republic (silver) and Poland (bronze).
This event once again proved that age is just a number, and that chess is timeless!
The indefatigable Rainer Knaak turned 70 a couple of years ago
| Rk. | Team | Games | + | = | - | TB1 | TB2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England 1 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 24 | |
| 2 | Lasker Schachstiftung GK | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 24 | |
| 3 | Saxonia | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 22,5 | |
| 4 | Israel | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 22 | |
| 5 | England 2 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 21,5 | |
| 6 | France 1 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 21,5 | |
| 7 | Italy | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 21,5 | |
| 8 | Sweden 1 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 21 | |
| 9 | Switzerland | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 21 | |
| 10 | Coriolus | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 19,5 | |
| 11 | France 2 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 22 | |
| 12 | Finland 1 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 21,5 | |
| 13 | Hungary | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 20 | |
| 14 | Netherlands Orange | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 19 | |
| 15 | Ireland 1 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 19,5 |
