Bhubaneswar: The 2025 Asian Senior Chess Championships, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Asian Chess Federation, concluded with grand success in Erbil, Iraq, crowning champions across both the 50+ and 65+ categories. Held from October 4 to 14, the event brought together seasoned minds from across Asia, proving that the passion for chess only deepens with age.
In the Over-50 classical category, Aziz Umarbekov of Kyrgyzstan emerged as the champion with a commanding 7.5 points out of 9, displaying consistency and composure throughout the tournament. Local favorite IM Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Ali of Iraq clinched silver with 7 points, while GM Ramil Hasangatin took bronze with 6.5. Among the women, Iman Mahdi Ahmed topped the standings, followed by WCM Jwan Jamal Mohammed Ameen and Dilpak Ali Hamzah, all representing Iraq — a sign of the host nation’s growing strength in women’s chess.
In the Over-65 classical section, experience triumphed as Marat Primbetov of Kazakhstan captured the gold on tiebreaks after scoring 6.5 points, edging out FM Hossein Aryanejad of Iran, who took silver. Randolph Schain of Cambodia completed the podium with 6 points, while WGM Galina Strutinskaia dominated among women, scoring a solid 5 points to claim the top female honor.
The championships concluded with a lively blitz event, combining both age categories but awarding separate titles. Here, GM Ramil Hasangatin found redemption, storming to gold in the Over-50 Blitz with 7.5 points, while the ever-resilient WGM Galina Strutinskaia claimed Over-65 Blitz gold with the same score. Iraq’s women once again shone brightly, with Dilpak Ali Hamzah, WCM Jwan Jamal Mohammed Ameen, and Bayan Jamal Mohammed Ameen sweeping the podium in their section.
Hosted under the patronage of the Iraq Chess Federation, the tournament showcased remarkable hospitality and organizational excellence. The city of Erbil, with its blend of history and modern charm, provided the perfect setting for a championship that celebrated intellect, endurance, and sportsmanship.
With fierce competition, inspiring stories, and a vibrant atmosphere, the 2025 Asian Senior Chess Championships reaffirmed FIDE’s commitment to promoting chess across generations — proving that true mastery of the 64 squares only grows stronger with time.
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