Former champions of world and Europe – Bulgarian Antoaneta Stefanova and Russian Aleksandra Kosteniuk were the most titled sportswomen at European Individual Women Chess Championship which was held in Tbilisi. But they cannot play so successfully anymore.
No.6 seed Kosteniuk played badly. She collected 5,5 points and took the 59th place. As for No.8 seed Stefanova, she was one of the best players in Tbilisi – she was half point behind champion Viktorija Cmilyte, earned 8,5 points, took the second place and became vice-champion of Europe. It is worth mentioning, that Stefanova was the only player she beat future champion Cmilyte.
Like Cmilyte, Stefanova lost only once – she lost against Georgian international grandmaster Bela Khotenashvili. “World Sport” talked to vice-champion of Europe Antoaneta Stefanova after the end of European Championship:
- In the last round, in case of beating Elina Danielian (Armenia) you could have overcome Cmilyte with points but you played draw…
- When Viktorija Cmilyte (Lithuania) played draw against Svetlana Matveeva (Russia) it was no use to fight for winning because in case of equal points, Cmilyte would have become champion. I want to congratulate Cmilyte on this success. She played perfectly and deserved gold medal.
- Are you satisfied with your result?
- Of course, it would have been better if I had taken the first place but considering that I played badly at Grand Prix, World and European Championship, I am satisfied with silver medal.
- Which game can you distinguish?
- The game against Cmilyte. This was the only game which future champion lost.
- Which game was unpleasant for you?
- I was sorry for losing against Bela Khotenashvili. I can say that I did not become champion because of this loss.
- What can you say about your future plans?
- I am very tired. I will rest now and make plans later.
Roland Labuchidze
