World Senior Team Championships: USA and Germany, both top seeds in their categories, grab gold

by Press release
4/29/2026 – The World Senior Team Championship 2026 has concluded in Durrës, with USA 1 securing the 50+ title after drawing their final match, while Italy and Kazakhstan completed the podium. In the 65+ section, Germany – Lasker claimed gold ahead of Italy, with Iceland taking bronze on tiebreaks. The women's standings were led by USA Women and the FIDE Women's Team respectively, following closely contested tournaments across both categories. | Pictured: Artur Yusupov (top board for Germany-Lasker in the 65+ section) | Photo: International Senior Chess Events
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Report and photos by WFM/IA Georgia Grapsa

After ten thrilling days of competition, the World Senior Team Championship 2026 has concluded in Durrës, Albania.

In the final round of the 50+ section, USA 1 drew quickly on the top board against Iceland, securing first place. The remainder of the podium was decided at the very last moment: Italy pressed hard against Norway Oslo on board two and ultimately won by a 2½–1½ score. Despite catching up on match points with the leader, Italy finished behind the USA on tiebreaks (game points).

Kazakhstan swept Iceland Vestfirdir 4–0 to take bronze, while England 1 defeated the USA Women's team by the same margin to finish fourth. Iceland and Hungary followed closely in the final standings.

Despite their loss in the final round, USA Women retained first place in the women's standings, ahead of Czech Republic Women and Kazakhstan Women.

Top 3 finishers - Individual results

1. United States of America - 1 (RtgAvg:2487, Captain: Shabalov, Alexander / TB1: 15 / TB2: 25,5)
Bo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts. Games RtgAvg
1 GM Ehlvest, Jaan 2532 USA 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 4,5 7 2439
2 GM Shabalov, Alexander 2433 USA 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 5 7 2344
3 GM Kaidanov, Gregory 2491 USA 1 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 6 8 2294
4 GM Novikov, Igor 2477 USA 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 5 7 2266
5 IM Rachels, Stuart 2446 USA 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 5 7 2191
  2. Italy (RtgAvg:2410, Captain: Bellia, Fabrizio / TB1: 15 / TB2: 23)
Bo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts. Games RtgAvg
1 GM David, Alberto 2460 ITA ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 4 8 2438
2 GM Godena, Michele 2444 ITA ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 4,5 8 2383
3 IM Bellia, Fabrizio 2379 ITA 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 5,5 7 2301
4 IM D'amore, Carlo 2355 ITA 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 4,5 7 2253
5 IM Borgo, Giulio 2278 ITA 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 4,5 6 2154
  3. Kazakhstan (RtgAvg:2426, Captain: Zharokov, Biket / TB1: 14 / TB2: 27)
Bo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts. Games RtgAvg
1 GM Kazhgaleyev, Murtas 2518 KAZ 1 1 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 8 9 2404
2 GM Kotsur, Pavel 2478 KAZ 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 7 9 2293
3 GM Kostenko, Petr 2338 KAZ 1 1 1 0 0 ½ 1 1 5,5 8 2255
4 GM Temirbayev, Serikbay 2369 KAZ 1 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 6 9 2190
5 IM Tikzhanov, Yerlan 2188 KAZ ½ 0,5 1 2162

Top finisher in women's section - Individual results

15. United States of America (W) (RtgAvg:2109, Captain: Tsodikova, Natalya / TB1: 10 / TB2: 16,5)
Bo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts. Games RtgAvg
1 WGM Belakovskaia, Anjelina 2167 USA 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 0 4 8 2190
2 WFM Tsodikova, Natalia 2122 USA 1 0 0 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 3 8 2126
3 WIM Marinello, Beatriz 2061 USA 1 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 0 4 8 2061
4 WFM Sagalchik, Olga 2084 USA ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 0 4,5 8 2068
5 WFM Jezierska, Ivona 2027 USA 1 0 0 0 1 4 1871

World Senior Team Chess Championship 2026

Team USA

World Senior Team Chess Championship 2026

Team USA Women

In the 65+ category, things were much tighter going into the final round, with Germany–Lasker in first place on 13 team points, while six teams were sharing second–seventh place and fighting for a spot on the podium.

In the end, Germany–Lasker prevailed over Slovakia (2½–1½) to claim the title with 15 team points. Italy secured silver by defeating England 2 (3–1). A four-way tie for third ensued, with Iceland clinching the bronze medal on tiebreaks after drawing their match against England 1.

Among women's teams, the FIDE Women's Team held on to their lead with a final-round draw against Poland Amateurs 65, finishing as the top female squad. Germany Women and Latvia Women completed the podium.

Throughout the event, participants displayed exceptional fighting spirit, resilience, and sportsmanship – powerfully reaffirming that chess is a game for all ages.

Top 3 finishers - Individual results

1. Germany - Lasker SGK (RtgAvg:2427, Captain: Kohler, Gerhard / TB1: 15 / TB2: 22,5)
Bo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts. Games RtgAvg
1 GM Jussupow, Artur 2554 GER ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 4 8 2382
2 GM Knaak, Rainer 2401 GER 1 0 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 3,5 7 2286
3 GM Kalinitschew, Sergey 2374 GER 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 5 8 2234
4 GM Meister, Jakob 2378 GER 1 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 6,5 8 2175
5 Koehler, Gerhard Dr. 2165 GER 0 1 1 ½ 1 3,5 5 2120
  2. Italy (RtgAvg:2297, Captain: Caposciutti, Maurizio / TB1: 14 / TB2: 24)
Bo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts. Games RtgAvg
1 GM Garcia Palermo, Carlos 2394 ITA 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 0 6 9 2297
2 GM Ortega, Lexy 2323 ITA 1 1 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 7 9 2224
3 IM Messa, Roberto 2238 ITA ½ ½ 0 0 1 4 2180
4 FM Sibilio, Mario 2233 ITA ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 5 7 2189
5 FM Ceschia, Ivano 2151 ITA 1 ½ ½ 0 1 1 1 5 7 2035
  3. Iceland (RtgAvg:2363, Captain: Jonsson, Jon / TB1: 13 / TB2: 23,5)
Bo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts. Games RtgAvg
1 GM Olafsson, Helgi 2439 ISL 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 5,5 8 2372
2 GM Petursson, Margeir 2387 ISL 1 1 0 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 6 8 2244
3 GM Arnason, Jon L 2407 ISL ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 5,5 8 2224
4 FM Thorsteinsson, Thorsteinn 2220 ISL 1 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 3 6 2118
5 IM Karason, Askell O 2121 ISL ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 0 3,5 6 2102

Top finisher in women's section - Individual results

18. FIDE (W) (RtgAvg:2095, Captain: Janovsky, Sergey / TB1: 10 / TB2: 19)
Bo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts. Games RtgAvg
1 WGM Strutinskaia, Galina 2155 FID ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 5 8 2183
2 WGM Bogumil, Tatiana 2068 FID 1 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ 4 8 2104
3 WGM Fatalibekova, Elena 2133 FID 1 ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 5 8 2043
4 WIM Khropova, Larisa 2012 FID 1 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 4 9 1965
5 WIM Titorenko, Natalia I 2022 FID ½ ½ 0 1 3 1865

World Senior Team Chess Championship 2026

Germany-Lasker took home gold

World Senior Team Chess Championship 2026

FIDE Women's Team

Final standings - 50+ section

Rk. SNo FED Team Group Games + = - TB1 TB2
1 1 USA
United States of America - 1 Open S50 9 6 3 0 15 25,5
2 4 ITA
Italy Open S50 9 6 3 0 15 23
3 3 KAZ
Kazakhstan Open S50 9 6 2 1 14 27
4 2 ENG
England - 1 Open S50 9 6 1 2 13 24
5 5 ISL
Iceland Open S50 9 5 2 2 12 23,5
6 7 HUN
Hungary Open S50 9 5 1 3 11 21,5
7 12 ENG
England - 3 Open S50 9 5 1 3 11 18,5
8 10 ENG
England - 2 Open S50 9 3 4 2 10 20,5
9 6 MKD
Alkaloid Chess Club Open S50 9 4 2 3 10 20
10 15 ESP
Universitat Polit. de Catalunya Open S50 9 4 2 3 10 20
11 17 BRA
Brazil - 1 Open S50 9 4 2 3 10 19,5
12 9 CAN
Canada - Quebec Open S50 9 4 2 3 10 19
13 19 FRA
France - Philidor Brothers Open S50 9 4 2 3 10 19
14 8 NOR
Norway - Oslo Schakselskap Open S50 9 4 2 3 10 18,5
15 16 USA
United States of America (W) Women S50 9 4 2 3 10 16,5
16 11 ISL
Iceland - Vestfirdir Open S50 9 3 4 2 10 16
17 22 CZE
Czech Republic (W) Women S50 9 4 1 4 9 19,5
18 20 CZE
Czech Republic Open S50 9 2 5 2 9 19
19 23 FIN
Finland - Northern Lights Open S50 9 3 3 3 9 18
20 13 SCO
Scotland - 1 Open S50 9 4 1 4 9 17

...36 teams

All available games

Final standings - 65+ section

Rk. SNo FED Team Group Games + = - TB1 TB2
1 1 GER
Germany - Lasker SGK Open S65 9 6 3 0 15 22,5
2 8 ITA
Italy Open S65 9 6 2 1 14 24
3 3 ISL
Iceland Open S65 9 5 3 1 13 23,5
4 2 ENG
England - 1 Open S65 9 5 3 1 13 22
5 7 ISR
Israel Open S65 9 5 3 1 13 21,5
6 6 FRA
France - 1 Open S65 9 6 1 2 13 20,5
7 4 MNE
Montenegro Open S65 9 6 0 3 12 25
8 5 FID
FIDE Open S65 9 4 4 1 12 22
9 9 SVK
Slovakia Open S65 9 5 2 2 12 21,5
10 10 ENG
England - 2 Open S65 9 6 0 3 12 21
11 19 FRA
France - 2 Open S65 9 5 1 3 11 20,5
12 11 GER
Germany Open S65 9 4 3 2 11 19,5
13 14 GER
Germany - Saxonia Open S65 9 5 1 3 11 18,5
14 18 ALB
Albania Open S65 9 4 3 2 11 18
15 13 FIN
Finland - 1 Open S65 9 4 2 3 10 22
16 20 NED
Netherlands - Orange Open S65 9 4 2 3 10 21
17 12 KAZ
Kazakhstan Open S65 9 4 2 3 10 20,5
18 22 FID
FIDE (W) Women S65 9 3 4 2 10 19
19 30 POL
Polish Amateurs 65 Open S65 9 4 2 3 10 19
20 16 ENG
England - 3 Open S65 9 5 0 4 10 18,5

...54 teams

All available games

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