Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea
Born July 11, 1989 in Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Mehedinți County, Romania • Next birthday: July 11, 2026
July 11, 1989
Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Mehedinți County, Romania0
0 likesJuly 11, 2026
184 days away94
Updated just nowFew names resonate in the annals of Romania's history like Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea - a determined chess player whose story defied convention and overcame early skepticism. Born on 1989-07-11 in Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania, she learned chess at the age of three from her father and entered her first official tournament at six.
Ambitious from the start, she claimed her first major triumph in 1999 by winning the European Youth Chess Championship (Girls U10) in Litochoro, Greece. Looking back, that early victory proved critical because it established her as a rising talent among her peers. Her family moved to Bucharest in 2004, where under the guidance of Grandmaster Constantin Ionescu she refined her skills and matured as a competitor.
Relentless in her pursuit, she captured the Progresul RATB Cup in Bucharest in April 2005. Over the following years she showcased consistent performance: third place at the 2009 Bulgarian Women's Open Championship, Romanian Women's Blitz Champion in 2009 and again in 2012, and second place in the 2012 Romanian Women's Chess Solving Championship.
Elevating her career, she earned the title of Woman International Master (WIM) in 2011, following strong norms achieved in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Simultaneously, she completed studies at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies in the Faculty of Finance, Insurance, Banking and Stock Exchanges (graduated 2011).
Versatile and forward-looking, she later added another dimension to her chess life: since 2016 she holds the title of FIDE Trainer, and in 2024 she became a FIDE Arbiter (Category D), extending her influence beyond play into coaching and officiating.
Driven by intellectual rigor and strategic clarity, her career reflects consistent growth - from youthful promise to experienced mentor. Decades later, Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea's indelible impact endures - inspiring new generations across Romania and beyond, leaving us with the lesson that early talent nurtured by discipline and resilience can transform into lifelong mastery.
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Career & Achievements
- European Youth Chess Championship U10 – Champion (1999)
- Progresul RATB Chess Cup, Bucharest – Winner (2005)
- Bulgarian Women’s Open Championship – Shared 3rd place (2009)
- Romanian Women’s Blitz Chess Championship – Winner (2009)
- Romanian Women’s Blitz Chess Championship – Winner (2012)
- Romanian Women’s Chess Solving Championship – 2nd place (2012)
- Awarded FIDE title Woman International Master (WIM) – 2011
- FIDE Trainer title – 2016
- FIDE Arbiter, Category D – 2024
Personal Details
Latest News
FIDE / Romanian Chess Federation
Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea competes in Romanian Women's Championship 2025
In March 2025, Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea appeared on the list of participants in the Romanian National Women's Championship 2025. Her rating for the event was shown as 2042 FIDE, and she played against top Romanian female competitors, indicating her continued active involvement in national-level competition.
FIDE Ratings & Titles Directory
FIDE awards Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea new Arbiter title Category D
According to her official FIDE profile, on 30 October 2024 but licensed by 18 November 2024, Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea received the title of FIDE Arbiter (Category D). This upgrade underscores her expanding role beyond player status to official arbiter and trainer within the chess world.
Lichess.org profile page
Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea lists as active trainer offering online chess coaching
Her Lichess profile indicates she remains an active coach with about 15 years of teaching experience, offering live classes and game analysis to students of various levels. She continues to accept students and blends her competitive experience with coaching expertise.
365Chess.com tournament listings
Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea appears in 9th Semana Santa Alicante 2025 tournament
Recent game records show Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea took part in the 9th Semana Santa Alicante 2025 open tournament. Her participation in international open events demonstrates that she remains active on the European chess circuit.
FAQ
Is Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea best known only for her youth championship win?
A common misconception is that her reputation is limited to her 1999 European Youth Championship victory. In reality, her career spans multiple national titles and consistent international results. She also earned long-term recognition through her WIM title and advanced FIDE certifications. These achievements place her among Romania's most versatile chess figures.
Did Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea stop competing after becoming a Woman International Master?
Some believe she stepped back from the sport after earning her WIM title in 2011, but this is inaccurate. She continued to compete while simultaneously developing as a trainer and arbiter. Her progression into these roles demonstrates an expanded commitment to chess, not a withdrawal from it. Her influence now extends across multiple areas of the chess community.
Is it true that Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea focuses solely on competitive play?
This assumption overlooks her significant involvement in coaching and officiating. Since 2016 she has been a certified FIDE Trainer, mentoring emerging players across Romania. In 2024 she also became a FIDE Arbiter, lending her expertise to official events. Her career reflects a multi-dimensional approach rather than a single-track focus.
Did Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea achieve her early success without formal training?
Some mistakenly believe her early victories came without structured coaching. While her natural talent was evident, she benefited from systematic guidance-particularly after moving to Bucharest in 2004. Under Grandmaster Constantin Ionescu, she refined her competitive discipline. This mentorship played a key role in her development into a WIM-level player.
Is Silvia-Raluca Sgîrcea's contribution to Romanian chess mostly historic?
Although she is celebrated for past achievements, her ongoing work shows continued relevance. Her roles as a FIDE Trainer and Arbiter ensure that she actively shapes Romania's chess landscape today. She mentors new talent while supporting tournament integrity. Her influence is therefore both historical and contemporary.
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