Gumularz and Kiolbasa Claim Maiden National Titles in Warsaw

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The 83rd edition of the Polish Chess Championship and the 78th Polish Women’s Chess Championship took place from 22-30 March in Warszawa. The events were simultaneously played with the same 10-player round-robin format, attracting most of Poland’s best chess players.

GM Szymon Gumularz secured his maiden national title with a performance defined by an early, unstoppable momentum. Gumularz opened the tournament with five consecutive victories, a “blitzkrieg” start that effectively neutralized the field. Though he transitioned into a more pragmatic approach in the final four rounds, drawing each to finish with 7/9, his lead was so substantial that he clinched the gold medal with a round to spare.

GM Jakub Kosakowski mirrored his success from the previous year, securing the silver medal with 5.5 points. The race for bronze was far more congested, with three players finishing on 5 points. Ultimately, IM Lukasz Licznerski edged out GM Pawel Teclaf and GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek on tie-break criteria to round out the podium.

The Women’s Championship provided a stark contrast in tension, remaining undecided until the final moves of the tournament. IM Oliwia Kiolbasa emerged as the champion, securing her first national title with 6.5 points following a chaotic final round.

WGM Alicja Sliwicka, who had led for the vast majority of the event, saw the title slip away in the final hour after suffering a defeat at the hands of the 2025 champion, IM Klaudia Kulon. Exploiting the opening, Oliwia Kiolbasa defeated WIM Maria Siekanska to leapfrog into first place.

A three-way tie for second place on 6 points saw IM Alina Kashlinskaya take the silver on tie-breaks, while Sliwicka took bronze. GM Monika Socko, also on 6 points, finished just outside the medals in fourth.

Final standings – Polish Open and Women’s National Chess Championships 2026: