TEAMS SERBIA AND RUSSIA ARE STRONGEST

In recently completed European Championships for seniors in the city of Novi Sad, the Serbian team became European champion in the “50+” section. The title was brought by the grandmasters Miloš Pavlović, Goran M. Todorović, Siniša Dražić and Nenad Ristić and international master Zoran Arsović.

Second place goes to the team of Italy, which had three grandmasters in their team composition, and the third place went to team of Sweden. Particularly interesting is the fact that for the Swedish team successfully played the Swedish ambassador in Serbia, His Excellency Jan Lundin.

In the 65+ section the team of Russia, for which are playing the legendary grandmasters Sveshnikov, Vasyukov and Balashov made amazing result of all eight victories, and took the first place. The Danish team was the second, and Belgium, after they lost match in the last round against Russia, took third place.

Three top-ranked teams won cash prizes in the total value of 4,800 Euros in both sections.

Arbiters part of job was successfully made by a team led by Nebojša Baralić.

At the closing ceremony, musicians Olja Petrović and Aleks Čavar performed as well as the folk ensemble “Vila”, whose games from Central Serbia delighted visitors. Friendship was continued until late at night with a selection of wine and cheese, prepared by the organizer. Participants had only positive impressions about the organization of the competition, but there will be more words in the post-festum of the Championship.

SERBIAN TEAM WON DERBY AGAINST ITALY

In the sixth round of the European Senior Team \\[Chess Championship](https://www.studentchess.org/), in section over 50 years, in the most important match of the round, and probably of the whole tournament, Serbian team won Italy with a minimal 2.5-1.5. Match was full of excitement and setbacks. On the 3rd and 4th table we could see lot reversals, and match is finally decided by victory of Zoran Arsović against Fabio Bruno.

The team of Serbia is now very near to conquer the first place – they will have one more serious match against Swedish team, which has maximal score till now, but is not rating favorite.

In section over 65 years, Russian team was relentless against Finland, and today free day had the “Gerontološki centar” team. These two leading teams will meet tomorrow, in the next 7th round. With the new maximal 4-0 victory Belgian team become a serious candidate for one of medals.

Today, in the morning hours chess players enjoyed an excursion which was made by tournament organizers. It was free for everyone. Players visited town Sremski Karlovci and Petrovaradin fortress. A special impression on our guests from abroad left the underground tunnels – “Catacombs”, the story how they were build and used as a defense of the fort.

With the 7th round tournaments are entering in the last third with decisive fight for the medals.

EUROPEAN SENIOR TEAM CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN IN NOVI SAD

The Opening Ceremony for European Senior Team Chess Championships took place in beautiful ambient of tourist resort “Ribarsko ostrvo” in the city of Novi Sad. On the event participates 18 teams from 10 national federations, divided by two section – players over 50 years and players over 65 years. Championship is organized in 9 rounds Round-Robin System, and for the best placed teams there is a prize found 6000 EUR.

On the start of the opening ceremony, Anthem of Serbia was singing by Olja Petrović, student of gymnasium. President of Serbian Chess Federation Mr. Ratko Pižurica greeted all the team, guests and supporters:
“We are happy as federation to have such an honour to welcome chess legends and \\[chess amateurs](http://www.windwardchess.org/), as well. Serbia is a chess country and I am sure that our guests will be pleased with our hospitality in the city of Novi Sad.”

Member of Novi Sad city counsil, Mr. Ognjen Cvjetićanin greeted all participants and declared tournament open:
“The city of Novi Sad will be European Capital of Youth in 2019 and European Capital of Culture in 2021. We are very proud of it, but events like this one we have today makes the city of Novi Sad also the Capital of Sport, and we are glad because of it” – pointed out Mr. Cvjetićanin.

The start of the first round was marked by the honorable move made by Mr. Ognjen Cvjetićanin in the game between grandmaster Godena from Italy and international master Božić.

Tournament Overview and Format

The European senior team chess championship is a significant event in the chess community, bringing together some of the best senior chess players from across Europe. The tournament is held annually and provides a platform for players over the age of 50 to compete at a high level.

The tournament format consists of two sections: one for men and one for women. The teams compete in a round-robin system, where each team plays against every other team in their section. The tournament typically lasts for 9 days, with each team playing a total of 9 matches in the men’s section and 7 matches in the women’s section.

The significance of the European senior team chess championship lies in the opportunity it provides for senior chess players to compete at an international level. The tournament is a chance for players to showcase their skills and compete against some of the best players in Europe. It is also a chance for players to connect with other tech enthusiasts and build relationships within the chess community.

Notable Players and Key Matches

The European senior team chess championship has seen some notable players and key matches over the years.

One notable player is Anatoly Vaisser from France, who has won the individual gold medal in the men’s section three times (2013, 2015, and 2016). He is known for his aggressive play style and has been a key player in helping France win multiple team gold medals.

Another key player is Nona Gaprindashvili from Georgia, who has won individual gold medal in the women’s section twice (2012 and 2014). She is a former world champion and has been a dominant force in women’s chess for many years.

In terms of key matches, the 2019 tournament provided some exciting moments. In the men’s section, the final round saw a tense match between France and Russia. The match ended in a draw, with both teams finishing on 16 match points. However, France won the gold metal due to having a better tiebreak score.

In the women’s section, the final round saw a closely contested match between Russia and Germany. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with the Russian team narrowly clinching the gold medal due to a better tiebreak score.

Analyzing the Rise of Serbian Chess

Serbian chess has seen a rise in recent years, with the country producing some of the top players in Europe. The success of individual players like Ivan Ivic, Milos Perunovic, and Aleksandar Indjic has helped to inspire a new generation of players and has put Serbian chess on the map.

The recent success of the Serbian chess team in the European championships is a testament to the country’s growing chess prowess. In the 2019 European team chess championship, the Serbian men’s team finished 7th out of 40 teams, while the women’s team finished 18th out of 38 teams. This is a significant improvement over previous year, and it shows that Serbian chess is continuing to grow and develop.

The implications of the success of the Serbian chess team in the European championships are significant for the country’s chess community. It provides validation for the hard work and dedication that players and coaches put into the game, and it helps inspire more young people to get involved in chess. Additionally, it raises the profile of Serbian chess on the international stage, which can help attract more resources and investment into the game.

The Serbian Chess Federation has played an important role in promoting and developing chess in the country. It has invested in training programs, coaching, and infrastructure, and has worked to create a more supportive environment for players. Additionally, the federation has organized several tournaments and events, which have helped to raise the profile of Serbian chess and attract more players to the game.

Chess as a Sport and its Cultural Impact

Chess tournaments like the European senior team championship provide an opportunity for cultural exchange between nations. Players from different cultures come together to compete, but they also have the opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and traditions.

But beyond its cultural impact, chess is also a mind sport that can have a positive impact on cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that playing chess can improve memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. This is because chess requires players to think strategically and analyze complex situations, which can help to improve mental agility and cognitive flexibility.

The Role of Arbiters in the Championship

Arbiters play an important role in ensuring that the championship is conducted fairly and according to the rules. The chief arbiter and deputy arbiters are responsible for overseeing the tournament and ensuring that all players and teams adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the European Chess Union.

Arbiters are responsible for monitoring the games, enforcing time limits, resolving disputes, and ensuring that the tournament proceeds smoothly. They also have the authority to make decisions regarding the outcome of games and to impose penalties for rule violations.

Future Prospects and Expectations for European Senior Chess Championships

The European senior chess championship has been growing in popularity and prestige in recent years, and there are high expectations for its prospects. With an increasing number of participants and a growing interest in the game of chess, the European senior championship is likely to continue to attract top-level players and fans from around the world.

One of the key factors driving the growth of the European senior championship is the increasing popularity of chess as a sport and as a recreational activity. Chess is a game that can be played by people of all ages and backgrounds, and it offers numerous benefits for cognitive development and mental agility. As more people become interested in the game, the European senior championship is likely to continue to grow in popularity and importance.

Looking to the future, there are high expectations for the European senior chess championship. As the game of chess continues to grow in popularity and importance, the European senior championship is likely to become an even more prestigious and high-profile event.