17th European Individual Women’s Chess Championship 2016 started yesterday in Mamaia, beautiful Romanianian resort in Constanta district.
The Championship gathers many top female chess players, who will compete for the prestigious title of European Women’s Champion and one of the 14 seats for the 2017 Women’s World Cup.
The path to success is difficult, as it was proven already at the start of the Championship, with many upsets and surprises.
The top seed former World and European Champion GM Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL 2507) drew with Hungarian IM Anna Rudolf (2301), while the second seed Georgian Champion IM Lela Javakhishvili (2493) lost to WIM Ulviyya Fataliyeva (AZE 2301).
On the third board the 2015 Women’s World Chess Championship runner-up WGM Natalija Pogonina (RUS 2490) drew with WFM Aydan Hojjatova (AZE 2300), and the 7th seed IM Anastasia Bodnaruk (RUS 2475) lost to 2015 World Junior Champion WGM Nataliya Buksa (UKR 2288).
WGM Zeinab Mamedjarova (2236), sister of famous top Grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is another Azeri player who made a surprise in the 1st round, defeating top Romanian IM Corina-Isabela Peptan (2402), while her sister WGM Turkan Mamedjarova (2257) took half point from strong IM Lilit Mkrtchian (ARM 2434). Great day for Azerbaijan players!
The Championship was officially opened before the start of the 1st round, with the presence of players many distinguished guests and media representatives.
After addressing to the participants, the ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili made the first symbolic move in the top board game Stefanova vs Rudolf and officially started the tournament.
Exciting start of the event promises great games and fights throughout the next 11 days, so make sure to follow the games LIVE, daily available on the official website of the Championship or through the ECU website.
