2025 FIDE World Senior Team Championships: Team USA Rosters and Preview
The 2025 FIDE World Senior Team Championships are set to kick off in Prague, Czech Republic on Monday, February 17, with Team USA sending both an Open 50+ and Women’s 50+ team to compete. Last year, Team USA secured their second consecutive championship in the Open 50+ event in Krakow, while the Women’s team finished as the runners-up among Women’s 50+ teams.
The Open 50+ Team roster includes familiar faces such as GMs Jaan Ehlvest, Igor Novikov, and Alexander Shabalov, who were part of last year’s winning team. They are joined by GM Gregory Kaidanov and IM Stuart Rachels, with Shabalov serving as the team captain. Rachels’ inclusion marks a return to competitive chess after a period of inactivity, having recently claimed victory in the Alabama State Championship.
On the Women’s 50+ Team, WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia, WFM Olga Sagalchik, WFM Natalia Tsodikova, WFM Ivona Jezierska, and WIM Alexey Root will be representing Team USA, with Sagalchik leading the team as captain. Sagalchik and Belakovskaia bring their championship-winning experience to the team, while Jezierska looks to make her mark after missing out on last year’s competition.
The tournament will feature a combined section for both Open 50+ and Women’s 50+ teams, with the top three Women’s teams earning podium placements. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the event is set to proceed smoothly without any travel restrictions in place. The competition promises to be fierce, with teams from around the world vying for the top honors.
Chess enthusiasts can follow the action live on Chess.com and Lichess, with WGM Sabina Foisor providing game analysis on the US Chess Youtube channel. Stay tuned to Chess Life Online for updates on the results, and visit the official tournament website for full regulations and details on how to watch the games. With Team USA looking to defend their titles and make their mark on the international stage, the 2025 FIDE World Senior Team Championships are sure to be an exciting and competitive event.