Gambit Bonnevoie Chess Club is proud to field the first female team from Luxembourg to compete in the European Club Cup (ECC). The team of four Woman Grandmasters, all of whom have won prestigious national titles in their respective countries and internationally, will represent us at the top event for chess clubs in Europe. This moment marks an important step for women’s chess in Luxembourg and for the club itself.
A Team of Strong Players
Leading the team is Yuliia Osmak, ranked among the top 20 female players in the world. She believes that the team’s success will come not just from individual strength but from their ability to work together. “Team atmosphere and spirit are key in competitions like the ECC. It’s not always the team with the highest Elo that wins, but the one that’s best organized and most supportive of one another,” says Osmak, who is aiming to help her team perform while also improving her personal rating.
Narmin Khalafova, a national champion who has represented Azerbaijan internationally, echoes the importance of “team spirit and mental resilience” as they aim for a top-five finish. Olga Babiy, who has not only represented Ukraine on the international stage but also claimed high national titles, focuses on “responsibility and team support” and is excited about the opportunity to compete for a podium finish.
Elvira Berend, a four-time World Champion in her category and a national titleholder, brings a wealth of experience to the team. Her approach is centered on patience, and she is focused on “playing well” as her main expectation for the event.
Paving the Way for Luxembourg and Women’s Chess
This year’s ECC is particularly significant for Gambit Bonnevoie Chess Club as it marks the first time Luxembourg has been represented by a female team. The players recognize the challenges that women in chess face and are keen to make the most of this opportunity.
Yuliia, with a background in biology, discusses how physiological differences can impact focus in long games. “Men can typically concentrate on one task for longer periods, while women’s brains tend to handle multiple tasks at once, which can both help and hinder in a chess context,” she explains. Olga adds that it’s generally more difficult for women to maintain focus for extended periods, giving men an advantage in certain chess situations.
Both players also point out societal factors, such as family responsibilities and expectations, which often affect women’s ability to fully dedicate themselves to chess in the same way male players can.
The key benefits of playing chess include, according to our 4 representatives, developing strong logic, fighting spirit and mental strength.
Chess Inspirations and Personal Favorites
The players find inspiration from different figures in the chess world. Yuliia looks up to Magnus Carlsen for his strategic prowess, particularly in endgames, while Olga has admired Garry Kasparov since childhood. Elvira’s favorite is Emanuel Lasker, whose fighting spirit has left a lasting impression.
As for favorite chess games, Olga singles out Rotlewi-Rubinstein from 1907 for its elegance, while Elvira is fond of the famous Steinitz-Bardeleben encounter.
Beyond Chess: Colors, Desert Islands, and Music
Off the chessboard, the team has a range of interests. Yuliia enjoys spending time with her family. Olga’s hobby is listening to music, especially rock and alternative metal, while Yuliia prefers rock – but not heavy – and pop, with her favourite bands being Nautilus Pompilius and Scorpions. Elvira is keen on playing bullet chess. Narmin prefers starting her day with a calm mindset, while Elvira likes to start the morning with a cup of tea. Olga, if stranded on a desert island, would definitely bring a knife, lighter, and a notebook with a pen, while Elvira admits making a clear choice is very difficult in this case. Among chess pieces, she has a preference for Rooks.
When it comes to colors, blue stands out as a favorite for both Olga and Elvira, while Yuliia is drawn to pink and gold. Narmin favors the color green.
The players also have diverse tastes in food and drink. Elvira enjoys pizza after a match, while Olga opts for rice with fish and salad. Yuliia loves eating well during tournaments, because this gives her energy, and her favourite food should be simple, healthy and tasty. Narmin sticks to water as her favorite drink, keeping it simple and refreshing. Yuliia loves also juice, tea and coffee, Elvira’s favourite is apple juice, while Olga is a coffee person.
When it comes to holidays, our players seem to be attracted by Spain: Elvira is keen on Mallorca, Narmin on Tenerife, and Olga likes mountains in general.
Looking Ahead: Eyeing the Podium
As Gambit Bonnevoie prepares for the ECC, the team is ambitious and eager to challenge for a place on the podium—or just below it. “We’re proud to be competing at this level and to be part of Luxembourg’s chess history,” says Narmin.
Fans can follow the team’s progress with live coverage available on the official website. For a more personal experience, Luxembourg’s own Fiona Steil-Antoni will also be streaming the games on her Twitch channel, offering commentary and insights.
With strong team dynamics and individual brilliance, this pioneering female team, lead by captain Roberto Visintin, is set to make a strong impression at the European Club Cup.
This is fireworks! Hardly a start could have been more uphill for Gambit Bonnevoie. In round one our club is playing top seed Superchess, the equivalent of Real Madrid in football. World champion candidate Gukesh is playing against us!
