Romania's Women's Chess Team Ready to Shine at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest

As the global chess community turns its attention to Budapest for the 45th Chess Olympiad, Romania’s national women’s team is ready to make an impression we can all be proud of. With a blend of experience and youthful ambition, the national team embodies the rich legacy and promising future of Romanian chess. Ranked 22nd out of 183 participating nations, the team is set to face the world’s elite and bring pride to Romania.

Talent and Determination

Leading the team is International Master Irina Bulmaga, Romania’s highest-rated player, with an Elo rating of 2406. At 30 years old, Bulmaga brings a wealth of experience, having represented Romania in numerous Olympiads since switching federations from Moldova in 2009. Her aggressive playing style and tactical skills make her a formidable presence on the first board. Beyond her achievements on the chessboard, Irina is known for her chess articles, sharing insights and inspiring a new generation of players.

On the second board, International Grandmaster Mihaela Sandu is the team’s veteran. With an Elo rating of 2248, the 47-year-old Mihaela, combines strategic depth with competitive energy acquired over years of performance. Since her Olympic debut for Romania in 2014, Mihaela has been a consistent performer. Off the board, she dedicates time to coaching, playing a crucial role in nurturing young chess talents in Romania and promoting the next wave of champions.

On the third board is International Grandmaster Carmen Voicu-Jagodzinsky, an experienced player with an Elo rating of 2271. At 43, Carmen brings vast experience to the team. Carmen has been a constant presence in national and international tournaments, adding depth to the team. Her involvement in chess extends beyond playing, as she actively participates in coaching and promoting the sport within the community.

On the fourth board, International Master Miruna-Daria Lehaci is a rising star at just 20 years old, with an Elo rating of 2180. Miruna represents Romania’s commitment to cultivating young talent. A multiple youth national champion and current senior champion, she balances her academic studies with her chess career.

The youngest member of the team is International Master Alessia Mihaela Ciolacu, at 19 years old, with an Elo rating of 2160. Alessia is a bright hope for Romanian chess. Her creative mid-game play and tactical ability have already earned her multiple national titles and international recognition. Alessia serves as an inspiration to young people, showing that dedication and passion can lead to remarkable achievements at a young age.

The team’s average Elo rating (first four boards) is 2276, reflecting a competitive team ready to face the world’s best.

The head coach and team captain is International Grandmaster Gergely Szabo. Gergely has an impressive career both as a player and as a coach. Early in his career, he was recognized for his dynamic playing style, and as he gained experience, he became a versatile and complete player. With over two decades of participation in national and international competitions, where he achieved numerous successes, Gergely is the ideal person to guide and develop new chess talents. As a coach, he has significantly impacted the development of many players at all levels. Through his methods, Gergely has led his students to remarkable results. Now in his third year as the national team’s coach, he continues to demonstrate his expertise and passion for developing champions.

The team coach is International Grandmaster Alexander Motylev, with a distinguished career as both a player and a coach. The team’s preparation has been significantly enhanced by Alexander’s expertise. He has worked as a coach for the Russian national team, contributing to their successes in various international tournaments. Notably, Alexander worked closely with former world champion Vladimir Kramnik and world championship challenger Sergey Karjakin, helping them refine their games and prepare for top-level competitions. Gergely emphasized that having a coach like Alexander Motylev is an enormous asset for Romania, elevating the national team’s preparation to a new level and boosting their confidence for future challenges.

A Legacy of Excellence

Romania’s women’s chess team has a rich history at Chess Olympiads, with numerous remarkable performances that have cemented our reputation as a force in international chess. Our "Golden Generation" consistently achieved exceptional results during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, securing multiple silver and bronze medals for Romania. At the heart of this golden era were players like Alexandra Nicolau, Elisabeta Polihroniade, Margareta Mure?an, and Gertrude Baumstark, contributing to silver medals in 1957 (Emmen), 1966 (Oberhausen), 1972 (Skopje), 1974 (Medellin), and 1982 (Lucerne). The team’s achievements continued with bronze medals in 1984 (Thessaloniki) and 1986 (Dubai). Elisabeta Polihroniade, in particular, was a constant presence in Romania’s golden team. The arrival of new players like Marina Pogorevici, Daniela Nu?u, and Gabriela Olarasu in the 1980s maintained Romania’s position as one of the top nations in world chess.

The Golden Team brought glory to Romanian chess, inspired future generations, and established Romania as a consistent force in women’s chess, regularly finishing at the top and challenging major powers such as the Soviet Union, Russia, Georgia, and China.

At recent Olympiads, the team has continued to stay in the global top ranks. At the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India (2022), and the 43rd Chess Olympiad held in Batumi, Georgia (2018), Romania’s team finished 23rd in a highly competitive field.

Facing the World’s Elite in Budapest

Entering the Olympiad ranked 22nd with an average Elo rating of 2276, the Romanian team is aware of the challenges at the chessboard. The top five teams include: 1. India (average Elo rating: 2467), 2. Georgia (2462), 3. Poland (2422), 4. China (2416), and 5. Ukraine (2400). These countries field formidable players with ratings above 2400. Romania’s placement in the top 12% of the 183 teams present in Budapest underscores our team’s competitiveness. The national women’s team embodies the excellence and determination that define Romanian chess.

Team captain Gergely Szabo expressed immense pride in the team, emphasizing that our players represent the best of Romania — talent, hard work, and fighting spirit. Let’s unite and support our queens at the chessboard. With every move, they write a new chapter in Romania’s rich chess history.

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Romania’s teams are supported by FRSah’s strategic partners: Superbet Foundation and One United Properties SA .