Hrvatski šahovski savezEuropean Individual Senior Chess Championship 2025
The European Individual Chess Championship for Seniors 2025 has concluded in Rabac, bringing together over 160 chess players from 30 European countries over the past ten days. The event was held at the Sunny Rabac by Valamar hotel, with competition across four categories: Open 50+, Open 65+, Women 50+, and Women 65+.
The championship took place in an excellent atmosphere, featuring high-quality and hard-fought games throughout all nine rounds. The tournament’s prestige was further enhanced by the participation of several distinguished grandmasters, including English GM John Nunn. The oldest participant, Ante Romac from Šibenik, at the age of 90, demonstrated remarkable fighting spirit, proving that chess is a sport one can enjoy passionately at any stage of life.
Tournament Director Branimir Jukić emphasized that Croatia once again proved itself capable of successfully hosting major international chess events:
“We are delighted to have welcomed so many participants from all over Europe to Rabac. I believe everyone will take home wonderful memories and experiences from this championship,” said Jukić.
Results – European Senior Championship 2025
Open 50+
1. GM Jean-Marc Degraeve (France) – 7 pts
2. IM Josep Anton Lacasa Diaz (Spain) – 6.5 pts
3. GM Frank Holzke (Germany) – 6.5 pts
Open 65+
1. GM Zurab Sturua (Georgia) – 7 pts
2. GM John Nunn (England) – 7 pts
3. GM Ľubomír Ftáčnik (Slovakia) – 6.5 pts
Women 50+
1. WIM Gundula Heinatz (Switzerland) – 7 pts
2. WFM Margit Brokko (Estonia) – 7 pts
3. WFM Petra Fink-Nunn (England) – 6 pts
Women 65+
1. WIM Ligia-Letitia Jicman (Romania) – 5.5 pts
2. WFM Margarita Baliuniene (Lithuania) – 5 pts
3. WFM Elzbieta Sosnowska (Poland) – 4.5 pts
The championship was organized by the Croatian Chess Federation, under the auspices of the European Chess Union (ECU). The event was made possible through the support of partners and institutions including HEP (main sponsor), INA, JANAF, Croatian Lottery, Istria County, Valamar, City of Labin, and the Labin Tourist Board.
The Croatian Chess Federation continues its successful hosting of international competitions and will welcome the European School Chess Championship in 2026.
LIVE Open 65+
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.
