The 2025 European Senior Chess Championship commenced yesterday in Rabac, Croatia and takes place from 27th of September to 5th of October at the “Sunny Rabac” restaurant by Valamar.
The Championship is played in two age categories: 50+ and 65+, open and women’s sections separately. More than 160 players coming from 30 European federations compete in the tournament, fighting for the title of European Senior Chess Champion.
The top seeds of the Open 50+ section are: GM Jean-Marc Degraeve (FRA, 2478), GM Josep Oms Pallisse (ESP, 2437), and GM Frank Holzke (GER, 2409). GM John Nunn (ENG, 2521), GM Zurab Sturua (GEO, 2491) and GM Lubomir Ftacnik (SVK, 2431) headline the field of the Open 65+ section. WIM Elena Krasenkowa (POL, 2100), WIM Gundula Heinatz (SUI, 2056) and WFM Margit Brokko (EST, 1985) are the rating favourites in the Women’s 50+ section, while WIM Ligia-Letitia Jicman (ROU, 2091), WFM Mira Kierzek (GER, 1954) and Aureliana-Eugenia Pancu (ROU, 1923) top the starting list of the Women’s 65+ category.
The championship was officially opened yesterday, shortly before the start of the first round. The tournament director Branimir Jukić expressed great satisfaction with the participation and quality of the competition: “We are extremely proud to host 161 players from 30 European countries here in Croatia. We are looking forward to a competition of experienced chess players who, through their
long-term work and dedication to chess, contribute to the importance of this Championship.”
At the opening ceremony, the participants were addressed by Donald Blašković, Mayor of the City of Labin, and Tomislav Ćorić, President of the Croatian Chess Federation. Mayor Blašković thanked the organizers for their trust and emphasized that it is a great pleasure for Labin to host such an important sporting event. President Ćorić welcomed all participants and highlighted that it is a great honor that such a significant competition is being held in Croatia. He pointed out that chess connects generations and is based on knowledge, patience, and mutual respect – values that remain the same regardless of age or result.
A warm welcome to the participants and organizers was extended by Valamar, the City of Labin, and the Tourist Board of the City of Labin, and thanks were also expressed to the sponsors and partners: European Chess Union, HEP as the general sponsor, INA, Janaf, Croatian Lottery, and the Istria County.
Live games can be followed here.
Starting lists of players, pairings and rankings after Round 1 can be found here.
