European Senior Team Chess Championships begin in Crete

The 2026 European Senior Team Chess Championships have commenced in Hersonissos, Crete, running from August 27 to September 4. The tournament features two main sections: the 50+ category with 14 teams and the 65+ category with 18 teams.

In the 50+ section, England 1 holds the top seed with an average Elo of 2419, closely followed by Italy at second place with an average Elo of 2413. The English delegation is the largest in the competition, with 37 players across eight teams. In the opening round, England 1 secured a 4-0 victory against Sweden, while England 2 defeated Athens Vets 3-1. The England Women's team faced a narrow 3-1 loss to Slovakia.

In the 65+ section, Slovenia holds the top seed with an average Elo of 2350, followed by England 1 and Italy. The Italian team in this category is ranked third. Notable top-rated players include Stuart Conquest (2506) in the 50+ section and John Nunn (2512) in the 65+ section.