Ukrainian Teen Sensation Anastasiia Hnatyshyn Claims European Women’s Championship Title in Historic Upset
Ukrainian Teen Chess Prodigy Anastasiia Hnatyshyn Claims European Women’s Championship Title in Stunning Upset
Batumi, Georgia — In a remarkable display of skill and determination, 15-year-old Ukrainian Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Anastasiia Hnatyshyn has made history by winning the European Women’s Championship outright, defying all odds as the 76th seed in a competitive field of 165 players. With an impressive score of 9 out of 11, Hnatyshyn not only secured the championship title but also earned €10,000, achieved the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title, and garnered her first International Master (IM) norm.
Entering the tournament with a rating of 2207, Hnatyshyn’s journey to victory was nothing short of extraordinary. She began the event with six consecutive wins, including a notable victory over Spain’s IM Sabrina Vega, who ultimately finished half a point behind her in second place. Hnatyshyn’s only setback came in round seven against Georgian IM Meri Arabidze, but she quickly rebounded, finishing strong with three wins out of her last four games.
The final round saw Hnatyshyn secure her title with a draw against IM Klaudia Kulon, while Vega, along with Austria’s IM Olga Badelka and Bulgaria’s IM Nurgyul Salimova, battled for the second-place spot, ultimately leading to a three-way tie. Vega claimed silver on tiebreaks, while Badelka took home the bronze.
Hnatyshyn’s performance has propelled her to the top of the Girls under-20 live rating list, boasting a rating of 2465, more than 20 points ahead of her nearest competitor, WGM Anna Shukhman. She has also climbed to 17th place on the Women’s rating list, marking a significant leap in her chess career.
Born in Lviv into a family of six siblings, Hnatyshyn learned chess from her father at the tender age of five. Her impressive track record includes being the European champion in the under-10 category and a world champion in rapid and blitz for under-12. In 2026, she contributed to Ukraine’s victory in the Mitropa Cup, scoring 6 out of 7 on board three, and secured a spot on the Ukrainian team for the upcoming Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan.
Hnatyshyn’s recent success is a testament to the rigorous training she has undergone, including participation in the Kasparov Chess Foundation’s program for talented youth. Under the guidance of Ukrainian chess legends GM Adrian Mikhalchishin and IM Volodymyr Grabinsky, she has honed her skills through intensive coaching sessions.
Mikhalchishin expressed his astonishment at Hnatyshyn’s performance, stating, “Her performance is unbelievable and really unexpected. Recently she showed great improvement, and I would expect a top-20 finish as she is a tremendous fighter.” Grabinsky noted that Hnatyshyn’s willingness to learn and adapt her opening strategies played a crucial role in her success.
The Ukrainian chess community is abuzz with excitement over Hnatyshyn’s victory, which follows a remarkable year for the nation in chess. Just two months prior, IM Roman Dehtiarov made headlines by winning the European Championship after entering as the 126th seed. Hnatyshyn’s triumph adds another prestigious title to Ukraine’s growing legacy in the chess world.
As the news of her victory spreads, Hnatyshyn has garnered praise from former Women’s World Champion GM Anna Muzychuk, who expressed her pride in the young talent’s achievement. “It’s quite impressive. She had a good run and a good tournament, so congratulations to Anastasia. It’s a great result,” Muzychuk remarked.
With her sights set on further success, Hnatyshyn’s journey is just beginning, and the chess world eagerly anticipates her next moves.