On Tuesday, at dawn Meri Arabidze Georgian international master came back in Georgia. Arabidze gained 8 points in 9 rounds at World Championship, which was underway in the city of Brazil, Caldas Novas and as a result she became world champion among U-18 girls. Alina Kashlianskaya (Russia) also had chance of becoming world champion, but Arabidze gained half point more than she, so Georgian chess player convincingly won the title. 

It is remarkable that since 2005 Georgia has not had world champion at U-18 girls. In 2005, Sopho Gvetadze won championship.
“World Sport” took an interview from Arabidze, after holding press-conference at Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.
- Congratulations.
- Thanks a lot.
- Was it difficult to win championship?
- Till the last round it was not known who will become champion and according to it, winning this championship was not easy.
- When did you feel, that you had chance of winning gold medal?
- In the seventh round, Alina Kashlinskaya unexpectedly lost with Petra Pap and then I felt that I had chance of winning the first place, because I lost with Kashlianskaya (in the fifth round). The most important was beating Narmon Kazimova, this victory brought me gold mdeal.
- Please, tell us briefly about you..
- I was born in Samtredia on February, 1994. I am European (10, 14, 16) and world (10, 12, 18) three-time champion, four time champion of Georgia and many times prize winner of these mentioned age categories. I am FIDE international master.
- How many point you need for becoming international grand master?
- I have two points. I need one point for becoming international grand master.
- How many years have you been training in chess?
- Since 6-year-old I go in for chess. My first coach was Anzir Machitadze, now Aleksandre Arsenidze is my coach, he was next to me in Brazil and helped me much.
- As far as I know, you live in Samtredia and train in Kutaisi. How do you manage to train in such conditions?
- I have been training at Chess school named after Maia Chiburdanidze for five years. I go to Kutaisi four times in a week. It takes half an hour to get to Kutaisi by micro bus so it is not difficult.
- Do love any other kind of sports besides chess?
- I watch basketball matches with great pleasure.
- What is your goal in chess?
- I won everything in age groups, what was possible to win. Now I dream to achieve the same among seniors and become world champion.
- Have anyone helped you in leaving for Brazil?
- Without helping Kutaisi City Hall I would not be able to take part in World championship.
- Have you got any sponsors?
- Besides Kutaisi City Hall, Georgian chess federation helps me. As for legal entities, Kutaisi medical clinic “LG” gives me monthly stipendium. I would like to thank its director Zaza Lominadze. 
- What about your future plans?
- After tiring travel in Brazil I will rest a little, then I will start preparation for the next tournaments. I am to participate in European individual women’s championship 2012, which is to be held in spring. If I have financial support, I will take part in other international tournaments with great pleasure.
 

 Roland Labuchadze