44th International Women’s Grandmaster Chess Tournament
Celebrating the International Women’s Day – 8th March with a strong chess tournament is a tradition in Belgrade since 1965. This event is in the select group of the tournaments with the longest continuity in the chess world.
Former world champions Nona Gaprindashvili and Maia Chiburdanidze were regularly featured in the tournament, but as of late the organizers have decided to give a chance to younger players.
Belgrade Chess Association, with sponsorship from Assembly of the City of Belgrade, organized the 10-player round robin tournament from 3rd to 11th March in the Hotel “Slavija”.
WGM Ana Benderac, until recently captain of the Women’s national team, and the young Russian untitled player Aisa Imeeva shared the first place with 5.5 points each. Benderac is declared champion on better Koya tie-break.
Imeeva, despite being the lowest rated participant, started convincingly with 4 points from five games. Later she suffered a pair of defeats and eventually Benderac caught up on the top of the crosstable. Imeeva earned a WIM norm and 37 elo points.
Final standings:
1-2. WGM Benderac Ana SRB 2294 and Imeeva Aisa RUS 2019 – 5.5
3-5. WGM Voiska Margarita BUL 2316, WGM Olarasu Gabriela ROU 2260 and WGM Vega Gutierrez Sabrina ESP 2323 – 5.0
6-7. WGM Maksimovic Suzana SRB 2227 and WIM Vega Gutierrez Belinda ESP 2177 – 4.5
8. Miladinovic Lena SRB 2060 – 4.0
9. WIM Eric Jovana SRB 2243 – 3.5
10. Dizdarevic Barbara SRB 2042 – 2.5
Nice tournament.