The European Team Chess Championship held in Batumi, Georgia, was a resounding success for Ukraine. The men's team became champions, while the women's team secured a commendable second place. According to the Ukrainian Chess Federation, Ukrainian players also earned individual awards.
Anna Ushenina excelled as the top player among women on the second board.
The men's team claimed gold medals thanks to Igor Kovalenko (fourth board) and Igor Samunenko (fifth board).
Second places on the fourth and fifth boards were also taken by Ukrainian female players Natalia Zhukova and Bozhena Piddubna.
Notably, both Samunenko and Piddubna are just 16 years old.

This achievement marks a repeat of Ukraine's best results at European championships. In 1992, the women's team won gold, while the men's team earned silver. The men's team first became champions in 2021, and bronze medals were achieved in 2009 and 2017. The women's team won championships in 1992 and 2013 and secured silver in 2015. The girls also won bronze in 2009 and 2017.