34th World Seniors 3-15 November 2026

[Mick Norris]

website

Vrnjačka Banja is the largest and most famous spa resort in Serbia, informally called "the queen of spa tourism". It is located 200 km south from Belgrade. Vrnjačka Banja is rich in mineral water which are known for their healing properties. Apart from health tourism, Vrnjačka Banja is also famous for other interesting things. Vrnjačka Banja also has the status of a chess symbol, and in the last two years the following competitions have been successfully organized at the same place:

2023: European Individual Championship
2024: European Club Cup & European Club Cup for Women
2025: FIDE World School Chess Championships
2025: FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships
2026: FIDE World Cadet & Youth Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships

Regulations

65+ Keith off to a good start

50+

[Mick Norris]

Round 5 Keith has drawn with black against top seed Sturua which leaves both in the lead on 4.5

[JustinHorton]

Another draw (Knaak) in round six

[Geoff Chandler]

Round seven Keith is black v Silvio Danailov (I met him when Topalov gave a simul in Edinburgh, seemed nice enough, friendly and chatty.) an IM, chessgames report no games of his since 2016. He turned 65 in April. Keith was 65 in January. These two are the youngsters in the over 65's.

In the Ladies section
Keti in touch with the leaders in over the 50's event and so is Nona Gaprindashvili (85) in over the 65's.

https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1465967 ... 0&SNode=S0

[Christopher Kreuzer]

More to the point, the other main contenders also drew. Keith still well in it as one of many on 5/6 with five rounds to go (I had not realised this was 11 rounds).

[Mick Norris]

Yes, 8 players now in the joint lead with Keith second only to Knaak on tiebreak

Good luck Keith

[JustinHorton]

I note Keith is playing the Black side of the same line he played as White (and won) in round four. (He played 10. Qe3 though, whereas he is facing the more traditional 10 Qd3.)

[LawrenceCooper]

I note Keith is playing the Black side of the same line he played as White (and won) in round four. (He played 10. Qe3 though, whereas he is facing the more traditional 10 Qd3.)

He won with black in round 4 in this line.

[JustinHorton]

You're quite right, I'd completely misremembered. That makes a little more sense.

[Mick Norris]

Keith has drawn, boards 3 and 4 look level, Sturua has chances on board 1 as his opponent is short of time