Three rounds before ending European championship, Baadur Jobava (2706)leader of Georgian national team is behind leaders only with half points and as a result in case of doing well he has chance of entering in top 3.
In the eighth round of European championship, which is underway in the city of Bulgaria, Plovdiv Jobava beat German Daniel Fridman (2653) with white pieces. As a result Baadur earned 6.0 points and according to the additional points is in the 13rd place. It must be mentioned that players in top 3 have 6.5-6.5 points. Russian Vladimir Malakhov (2705) and Maxim Matlakov (2632) and Armenian Vladimir Akopyan (2684) are leaders.
Due to absence of Azerbaijani No.2 rank Sharryan Mamedyarov (2752), Azaladze won the match “without fighting”. As a result one of the discoveries of the tournament, who was ranked No.222 gained 5.5 points and he is in the 21st place. Mikheil Mchedlishvili (2626) member of Georgian national ram is in the 42nd place with the same points as Azaladze has. In the previous round he played draw with Russian Alexey Dreev (2698).
As for other Georgians who compete in Plovdiv, their situation is the following: 62. Levan Pantsulaia (2595) – 5.0; 90. Davit Lomsadze (2338)- 4.5; 114. Davit Benidze (2530) -4.5; 213. Luka Paichadze (2491) -3.5; 220. Gaioz Nigaladze (2462)- 3.5; 340. Giorgi Khelaia (2080)- 1.5;
In the 9th round Jobava plays against Georgian Mikheil Kobalia (2666) who represents Russia, Mchedlishvili plays against Viktro Bologan (2687) of Moldova, Azaladze against Austrian Marcus Rager (2654) with black pieces.
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.
Dato Manjavidze
