Lionesses take on Europe’s best at the European Club Cup in Montenegro

4 of the She Plays To Win Lionesses took part in the 41st European Women’s Chess Club Cup in Budva, Montenegro, from 16-24th October 2026.

Bodhana, Abigail, Elis and Anusha competed against some of Europe’s top female players throughout the 7 round competition.

Every single player in the team gained FIDE rating points. Bodhana made her final IM Norm and will now become an International Master (IM) at the next FIDE Congress meeting. Achieving this at age 11 years 7 months breaks Judit Polgar’s 38 year record, and it was fantastic she could to this with the Lionesses!

Alongside her, her team also had good highlights. Elis and Anusha drew with top 50 ranked women, in particular Anusha making a draw with legendary Grandmaster Pia Cramling from Sweden, and Abigail defeated a Bulgarian women’s International rated well over 300 FIDE rating points higher than her.

As our thumbnail photo shows, the girls wore their SPTW hoodies and the team really bonded well. This team camaraderie is how we will keep girls playing chess, something She Plays To Win is proud to support.

Finally, a note to our private sponsor. Without them, we cannot allow opportunities like this to our girls. She Plays To Win is extremely grateful for their support and belief in what we are doing.

Final rankings: https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1475191.aspx?lan=1&art=0&rd=7&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0