Two rounds before the end of Georgian Men’s Chess Championship, international grandmaster Baadur Jobava (2721) defeated Merab Gagunashvili (2570), one of his main rivals, with white pieces and is close to become champion.

Baadur earned 8.0 points in 9 rounds and is 1.5 points ahead of Luka Paichadze (2480) and Koka Shanava (2589). So, miracle must happen if Baadur does not take the first place.

In the 10^th round Jobava will play against Paichadze with black pieces and Shanava – against Gagunashvili.

Georgian 71^st Men’s Chess Championship. IX round

Luka Paichadze (2480) – Davit Arutinian (2561) 0.5:0.5
Baadur Jobava (2721) – Merab Gagunashvili (2570) 1:0   
Konstantine Shanava (2589) – Zurab Javakhadze (2418) 1:0
Davit Zarkua (2446) – Levan Pantsulaia (2581) +:- 
Irakli Beradze (2298) – Giga Kuparadze (2471) 0.5:0.5
Iveri Chighladze (2390) – Davit Lomsadze (2345) 0:1

Tournament situation
1. Jobava – 8.0
2-3. Paichadze, Shanava – 6.5
4-5. Gagunashvili, Zarkua – 6.0
6. Arutinian – 4.5
7-8. Javakhadze, Beradze – 4.0
9-10. Kuparadze, Lomsadze – 3.5
11. Pantsulaia – 1.5
12. Chighladze – 0

X round

Davit Arutinian (2561) – Davit Lomsadze (2345)

Giga Kuparadze (2471) – Iveri Chighladze (2390)
Levan Pantsulaia (2581) – Irakli Beradze (2298)
Zurab Javakhadze (2418) – Davit Zarkua (2446)
Merab Gagunashvili (2570) – Konstantine Shanava (2589)
Luka Paichadze (2480) – Baadur Jobava (2721)

XI round
Baadur Jobava – Davit Arutinian (2561)
Konstantine Shanava – Luka Paichadze (2480)
Davit Zarkua (2446) – Merab Gagunashvili (2570)
Irakli Beradze (2298) – Zurab Javakhadze (2418)
Iveri Chighladze (2390) – Levan Pantsulaia (2581)
Davit Lomsadze (2345) – Giga Kuparadze (2471)