Most of Georgian chess players who are participating in European Championship in Plovdiv occurred in a strange situation. The rest of Georgian delegation survived from the curious situation. In the 6th round of the tournament, six Georgian chess players did not show up at their boards on time and of course, they were declared as losers.
Of course, we cannot claim anything from here, however, we believe changing clocks to daylight saving time to be the most real reason. Like in European countries, the time changed forward in Bulgaria. Everything is the same in Georgia and perhaps that is why Georgians were confused.
Obviously, it cannot justify them and it was shock for Georgians. But they can only blame themselves. But it is strange that only members of our delegation from 3448 participants were confused in time. Besides that, three Georgian chess players showed up in the hall on time and why they could not warn their teammates.
In short, it is just supposition. In the 6th round, only three Georgian grandmasters played their games and two of them achieved success.
Levan Pantsulaia (2595) beat Alexander Areshchenko of Ukraine (2688) and is in the 27th place with 4.5 points. Baadur Jobava (2706), leader of Georgian team, has the same points. He played draw with Yuriy Kuzubov of Ukraine (2615) with white pieces. As for Mikheil Mchedlishvili (2626), he defeated Peter Michalik of slovakia (2529) and is in the 65th place with 4.0 points.
This negligence was fatal for Shota Azaladze (2419). Georgian chess player who is No.222 seed had 4.0 points after five rounds and was in the second place. Now, he lost his game to Anton Korobov of Ukraine (2679) by forfeit and is in the 35th place.
Besides Azaladze, those six players who did not show up in the sixth round are in the following places: 84. Davit Lomsadze (2338) – 3.5; 166. Davit Benidze (2530) – 3.0; 212. Luka Paichadze (2491) – 2.5; 268. Gaioz Nigalidze (2472) – 2.0; 342. Giorgi Khelaia (2080) – 0.5;
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.
In the 7th round, Jobava will play against Ivan Ivanisevic of Serbia (2645) with black pieces, Mchedlishvili – against Julian Radulski of Bulgaria (2552) with black pieces. Pantsulaia and Azaladze will play with white pieces. Pantsulaia will play against Francisco Pons of Spain (2693) and Azaladze – against Sanan Siugirov of Russia (2610).
P.S. Statement showed up on official website of European Championship. According to this statement “Seven players (besides six Georgians, Greek chess player also turned out to be late for his game – edition) did not show up for the round and lost their games by forfeit, despite the reminders about changing the clocks to daylight saving time”. You can make your own conclusions…
Dato Manjavidze
