The 2025 European Team Chess Championship took place in Batumi, Georgia, bringing together Europe’s strongest national teams for an intense and high-level competition.
In the Open section, Ukraine emerged as the champion, followed by Azerbaijan in second place and Serbia in third. In the Women’s section – which we will mainly focus on – Poland claimed the gold medals, finishing ahead of Ukraine and Germany.
Women’s Championship
Poland’s team – Alina Kashlinskaya, Aleksandra Maltsevskaya, Oliwia Kiolbasa, Monika Socko, and Klaudia Kulon – secured the Championship with 16 match points, winning their first European team title in exactly 20 years – since Gothenburg 2005! Ukraine took silver with 14 points, while Germany earned bronze with 13.
The Polish players demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the event, maintaining their lead in the final rounds. Their balanced lineup combined experience and new generation strength, with each team member contributing to the success.
Stars of the Boards — Top Individual Performers
Beyond the team medals, the Championship recognized outstanding individual achievements on each board. In the Women’s section:
- Board 1: Mai Narva (Estonia) — gold, followed by Stavroula Tsolakidou (Greece) and former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk (representing Switzerland).
- Board 2: Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) took the top spot, ahead of Sabrina Vega Gutiérrez (Spain) and Hanna Marie Klek (Germany).
- Board 3: Oliwia Kiolbasa (Poland) shone brightest, followed by Lela Javakhishvili (Georgia) and Ann Matnadze Bujiashvili (Spain).
- Board 4: Bella Khotenashvili (Georgia) earned gold, with Natalia Zhukova (Ukraine) and Gulnar Mammadova (Azerbaijan) completing the podium.
- Board 5: Kateryna Dolzhykova (Germany) led the way, ahead of Bozhena Piddubna (Ukraine) and Silvia-Raluca Sgircea (Romania).
Inspiring Role Models
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess warmly congratulates all participants for their sportsmanship and dedication.
We are especially proud to see Alina Kashlinskaya, the leader of the Polish team and a member of our Chess Mom initiative, guiding her team to the top of Europe. Alina continues to be an inspiring example for mothers in chess — showing that it is possible to combine professional excellence with family life. Supporting women to pursue both is one of the key missions of our Commission, and her success in Batumi perfectly embodies that vision.
The Spirit of Women’s Chess
The Women’s Championship in Batumi showcased exceptional fighting spirit, creativity, and resilience on every board. The level of play and determination displayed by all teams underlined the continued growth and competitiveness of women’s chess in Europe.
This event once again proved that women’s team competitions offer some of the most exciting and hard-fought games in modern chess – a true celebration of skill, teamwork, and perseverance.
