After three rounds of European Individual Chess Championship, Shota Azaladze (2419) has the best result – 2.5 points in Georgian delegation. It is a great surprise. Azaladze is No.222 at the tournament. After the previous rounds, he is in the 12th place.
It is worth mentioning that Shota played against stronger opponents in the previous rounds. Though, he did not lose. First, he played draw against Alexander Khalifman of Russia (2649), then beat Viorel Yoranesku of Moldova (2644). Yesterday, Shota defeated David Howell of Great Britain (2614) with black pieces. In the 4t round, Azaladze will play against Alexander Beliavsky of Slovenia (2630) with white pieces.
David Lomsadze (2338) is also competing well. He is No.269. Though, he has not lost to favorites. In the 3rd round, Lomsadze played draw against Dragan Solak of Turkey (2602) and is in the 58th place. Like Davit, Baadur Jobava (2706), Mikheil Mchedlishvili (2626), Levan Pantsulaia (2595) and Davit Benidze (2530) earned 2-2 points. They are in the 80th, 84th, 98th and 129th places.
As for the leaders, 11 chess players advanced after three rounds: Nikita Vitiugov (Russia, 2709), Boris Savchenko (Russia, 2580), Arkadij Naiditsch (Germany, 2702), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France, 2682), Luka Lenic (Slovenia, 2637), Gawain Jones (England, 2635), Hrant Melkumyan (Armenia, 2628), Julian Radulski (Bulgaria, 2552), Yuriy Kuzubov (Ukraine, 2615), Sanan Sjugirov (Russia, 2610) and Kaido Kulaots (Estonia, 2585).
The championship is based on Swiss system and it will end up on March 31. March 27 is a day off. Prize money of the tournament is 100 000 EUR. Champion will get 14 000 EUR. Top 25 chess players will be awarded.
13th European Individual Chess Championship. March 19-April 1. Plovdiv (Bulgaria). III round
Levan Pantsulaia (2595) – Boris Grachev (Russia, 2705) 0.5:0.5
Frank Holzke (Germany, 2508) – Mikheil Mchedlishvili (2626) 0.5:0.5
David Howell (England, 2614) – Shota Azaladze (2419) 0:1
Davit Lomsadze (2338) – Dragan Solak (Turkey, 2602) 0.5:0.5
Baadur Jobava (2706) – Vladimir Bukal (Croatia, 2441) 1:0
Davit Benidze (2530) – Georgi Kjurkchiiski (Bulgaria, 2266) 1:0
Naim Sahitaj – Luka Paichadze (2491) 0.5:0.5
Gaioz Nigalidze (2472) – Epaminondas Kourousis (Greece, 2284) 1:0
Djakhangir Agaragimov (Azerbaijan, 2342) – Giorgi Khelaia (2080) 1:0
