13th European Individual Chess Championship is underway in the city of Bulgaria, Plovdiv. 348 participants from 45 countries are participating in it. Nine Georgians are among them: Baadur Jobava (2706), Mikheil Mchedlishvili (2626), Levan Pantsulaia (2595), Davit Benidze (2530), Luka Paichadze (2491), Gaioz Nigalidze (2419), Davit Lomsadze (2338), Giorgi Khelaia (2080).
Georgian game was held in the first round of the championship: Jobava was a favorite against Paichadze though he played draw. Benidze defeated Khelaia. Mchedlishvili and Lomsadze celebrated victories in the first round. Nigalidze, Azaladze and Pantsulaia played draws.
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.
Favorites of the tournament are: Fabiano Caruana (2767), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan, 2752), Dmitry Jakovenko (Russia, 2729), Anish Giri (Holland, 2717), Alexander Riazantsev (Russia, 2710).
13th European Individual Chess Championship. March 19-April 1. Plovdiv (Bulgaria). I round
Baadur Jobava (2706) – Luka Paichadze (2491) 0.5:0.5
Gaioz Nigalidze (2472) – Zahar Efimenko (Ukraine, 2695) 0.5:0.5
Alexander Khalifman (Russia, 2649) – Shota Azaladze (2419) 0.5:0.5
Tihomir Janev (Bulgaria, 2382) – Mikheil Mchedlishvili (2626) 0:1
Davit Lomsadze (2338) – Zdenko Kozul (Croatia, 2602) 1:0
Levan Pantsulaia (2595) – Ilya Duzhakov (Russia, 2316) 0.5:0.5
Davit Benidze (2530) – Giorgi Khelaia (2080) 1:0
