Today's 3rd round wasn't full of surprises as the previous two, and it seems that as the tournament is going on, the favorites are managing to justify their role given at the start.
That's why today we didn't see so many turnovers on the first boards. Convincing victories achieved Bela Khotenashvili, Salome Melia, Katheryna Lagno, Tatiana Kosintseva and Viktorija Cmylite.
Antoaneta Stefanova had somewhat advantage during the game against Serbian player Jovana Vojinovic, but Jovana, with a good defense, eventually managed to draw.
However, some of the favorites suffered losses - Natalia Zhukova against Alina Kashlinskaya and Sofie Milliet against unpredictable Irina Chelushkina.
Among first 10 boards, many games were drawn, although the positions did not indicate the peaceful outcome. Natalia Pogonina was worse, but managed to punish imprecise play of her opponent Zoya Schleining, and eventually drew. Olga Girya was also in unenviable position, but it seems her opponent Baira Kovanova didn't have a plan for a win, so the game went into a draw outcome. Corina Peptan was increasing her advantage move by move against Maia Lomineishvili, was even a piece up, but this didn't seem to be enough for a win.
The second round of European Individual Women's Chess Championship in Belgrade didn't lack of surprises.
Again we saw many upsets among the favorites. Former World Champion, Alexandra Kosteniuk lost to Gulnar Mammadova in a very sharp game, and Valentina Gunina, who is defending the title, lost with white to Laura Rogule. Katherina Lahno was pawn down against Maka Purtseladze, but in the end she saved the rook endgame. Pia Cramling was trying to win somewhat better endgame against Alina Kashlinskaya, but Alina defended very well and was more than satisfied with a draw.
Natalia Zhukova had a very pleasant position, and as she told after the game, she thought she had very good chances to win, but in the end had to be satisfied with a draw.
Pairings of the 3rd round promise lot of excitement. Stay tuned and follow the games live on our website.
In the section Media/Video, you can find videos which are regularly recorded by our associate Nebojsa Radosavljevic.
However, we recommend that you pay special attention to the video from the opening ceremony in HD version and enjoy.
The first round of European Individual Women's Chess Championship brought many surprises and announced a very exciting tournament.
The first seed, Anna Muzychuk drew with black against Khayala Abdulla on the first board, and Nana Dzagnidze lost to Romanian Mihaela Sandu. The same happened to Elisabeth Paehtz, Joanna Majdan-Gajewska and Masha Klinova. At some point, even Tatiana Kosintseva was in a very bad position, but the 4th seed managed to escape and eventually win the game against Slovenian Darja Kaps.
By making the first symbolic move on the first board in the game Khayala Abdulla-Anna Muzychuk, Minister of Youth and Sport of Republic of Serbia, Ms. Alisa Maric and ECU President, Mr. Silvio Danailov officially opened the first round of the 14th European Individual Women's Chess Championship. Few minutes later, they held a press conference for the media.
Today after the start of the first round, Minister of Youth and Sport Ms. Alisa Maric, and President of the European Chess Union Mr. Silvio Danailov held a press conference, in the press center of the Championship. The host of the conference was Mr. Vladimir Sakotic, who welcomed the media representatives and all present, as well as the special guest from Russia, Mr. Evgeny Surov, editor of the website Chess-News.ru, one of the most popular chess portals in the world, and announced the guests.
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