In a world gripped by conflict, the chess board remains a quiet sanctuary of intellectual rigor. Yet, for Ukraine’s national chess teams, their recent double triumph—the men capturing gold and the women securing silver at the European Team Championship—was not merely a sporting success; it was a potent demonstration of resilience conducted under the shadow of profound national crisis. This victory, described by coaches as “unexpected,” required navigating logistical nightmares, political complications, and the stark reality of war.
A Call to Duty: The Return of the Veterans
The path to the 2025 European Championship was fraught. Following the full-scale invasion in 2022, the Ukrainian chess infrastructure suffered a massive disruption: key players emigrated, and the federation faced organizational collapse and severe funding shortages. Assembling a men’s team in 2023 proved impossible, an enormous blow to the nation`s proud chess tradition.
Faced with this vacuum, the federation made a critical move: inviting back two giants of the game, Alexander Beliavsky (who had played for Slovenia for decades) and Adrian Mikhalchishin. Both felt a moral obligation to return during wartime. Beliavsky took the role of captain, managing strategy and pairings, while Mikhalchishin returned as team trainer, focusing on preparation, morale, and ensuring the players—in the spirit of Botvinnik`s advice—got their daily “oxygen tank” walks.
“We discussed the situation and felt we had a duty to return during wartime.” – Adrian Mikhalchishin
The political climate further complicated matters. The championship location in Georgia necessitated border interventions merely to secure the coaches` and players` entry, highlighting that even high-level international sport rarely exists “outside politics.”
The Resilient Squad: Blending Experience and New Energy
The coaching staff faced tough decisions regarding the roster, especially after the disappointing result at the preceding Olympiad. The strategy centered on stability and dynamism. Veteran Ruslan Ponomariov was tasked with neutralizing strong opponents on board one, while the established duo of Volokitin and Korobov held board two. The surprise factor came from the selection of Ihor Kovalenko and Ihor Samunenkov, injecting much-needed new energy.
Kovalenko’s story, in particular, underlines the team`s commitment. Having spent three years serving on the battlefield and earning the “For Courage” medal, his participation required a rapid return to form. The coaches organized a dedicated training match simply to get him tournament-ready—a unique preparation challenge that paid off massively.
Coach Mikhalchishin, known for his hands-on approach, even had to micromanage one star player’s meticulousness, noting with slight technical exasperation: “My main task was to limit Volokitin’s preparation—he goes too deep. His analyses are always 40 moves long!”
Despite being the ninth seed and facing high-rated adversaries, the team`s spirit carried them through. Beliavsky recalled the advice of legendary World Champion Tigran Petrosian: “Relax and enjoy. That is how I became World Champion.”
A key moment demonstrating this fighting spirit was Andrei Volokitin’s dynamic victory against German GM Matthias Blübaum, a game that cemented Ukraine`s momentum.
The Mentality of the Winner’s Memory
A curious detail emerged regarding the Elo ratings: many players, now nearing 40, saw their ratings drop slightly. Yet, they remained extremely dangerous. This phenomenon, Mikhalchishin explained, stems from the “winner’s memory.” Players who have won major team events carry an ingrained mentality that transcends minor rating fluctuations. This shared history of success allows them to execute under pressure in a way individual tournaments cannot replicate.
The women`s team, despite missing three Olympic champions, also performed admirably, achieving silver. The coaches noted they played gold-medal-winning chess but were hampered by a few unlucky drawn matches.
Chess Under Blackouts: The Reality of Wartime Life
The triumph on the European stage is measured against the grueling conditions at home. The coaches painted a sobering picture of daily life in Ukraine. Air-raid alerts are a persistent routine, and severe energy deficits mean twelve hours or more without electricity daily. Children are sometimes forced to study by candlelight. Travel logistics have completely deteriorated; a journey that once took six hours can now span over 24.
While international tournaments have vanished due to safety concerns, chess has surprisingly persisted. Local festivals and junior events are still organized, even in frontline cities like Kharkiv and Dnipro. Despite the famed Lviv GM club being reduced to organizing tiny blitz tournaments, a major foundation is actively planning to publish children`s chess books and sponsor an online school with top trainers, ensuring the next generation is not lost.
The human cost of the war remains the most poignant aspect. Kovalenko’s service is one example, but the wider community has suffered losses. Coach Mikhalchishin noted the tragedy of trainers and juniors killed by the conflict, a grim counterpoint to any claim that sport can truly be separated from politics when cities are being bombed.
A Victory for the Nation
The success was not just a headline for chess enthusiasts; it resonated nationally. Media attention grew significantly as the results solidified, leading to receptions in cities like Kharkiv and Lviv. Plans are underway for the team to meet state leaders and receive state medal nominations.
In a nation fighting for its existence, such victories provide vital moral sustenance. The gold and silver medals are tangible proof that even when facing profound hardship, Ukrainian determination, organizational tenacity, and intellectual strength remain unbroken.
