The record-breaking FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championships 2025 concluded in Gallipoli, Puglia, Italy, after eleven intense rounds, with winners emerging in all four sections.
GM Victor Mikhalevski (Israel) came out on top in the 50+ Open. Heading into the final round tied for the lead with GM Mikheil Kekelidze (Georgia) on 8.5/10, he scored a crucial victory over IM William Paschall (USA) to secure the title, while his rival could only manage a draw with GM Paul Motwani (SCO).
Kekelidze took silver with 9/11, while GM Michele Godena edged out GM Murtas Kazhgaleyev for the bronze thanks to his victory in their direct encounter. Both the champion and the runner-up finished the event undefeated.
The 65+ Open was the most tightly contested of the four tournaments. Four players—Alexander Reprintsev (UKR), Christian Maier (GER), Zurab Sturua (GEO), and Evgenij Kalegin (FIDE)—entered the final round sharing the lead on 8/10. When all four drew their games, IM Mark Ginsburg (USA) and GM Nikolay Legky (France) caught up by notching victories.
The Buchholz tiebreak favored Alexander Reprintsev, who captured the gold medal, with Zurab Sturua and Christian Maier completing the podium.
GM Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant (SCO) delivered a commanding performance in the 50+ Women’s section, scoring 8.5/11. The native of Georgia seized the lead in Round 5 and never looked back, clinching the title with a round to spare.
Top seed GM Pia Cramling (SWE) and WGM Maritza Arribas Robaina (CUB) finished a full point behind the champion, tying for second place. The Swede took the silver medal as the winner of their direct encounter.
WGM Galina Strutinskaia (FIDE) dominated the 65+ Women’s tournament. Scoring a remarkable 10.5/11, the fourth seed conceded just a single draw to her opponents and secured the title with a round to spare.
Despite losing to the champion in Round 6, Marina Makropoulou finished strongly with two victories to claim silver with 7.5/11. Nona Gaprindashvili (GEO) and Larisa Khropova (FIDE) scored the same number of points, with the legendary Georgian champion rounding out the top three.
The closing ceremony was held in Gallipoli’s historic Schipa Theatre, attended by Patrick van Hoolandt, Chair of the Appeals Committee; Yana Sidorchuk, FIDE Technical Delegate; organizers Cristina Pernici Rigo (Arcoworldchess) and Matteo Zoldan (Chess Projects); and several guests of honor. These included Pierluigi Piscopo, Counselor of the Italian Chess Federation; and Anio Iannuzzielo, Director of the Grand Hotel Costa Brada.
The ceremony began with a minute of silence in memory of GM Daniel Naroditsky, who passed away at the end of October.
It then continued with a performance by the multi-talented chess player and singer Nathan Resika, who delighted the audience with arias from Bizet, Verdi, and Mozart. The award ceremony followed, with the top finishers receiving trophies, medals, and symbolic checks.
Official website: worldseniorchampionship2025.com/