Georgian Men’s Chess Championship 2011 ended up with unexpected result. A 24-year-old national master Davit Zarkua won the championship. It is the first case in history of the championship when the national master wins gold medal.
Men’s Chess Championship 2011 was held by Olympic system.
In the first round, Zarkua beat Mikheil Mchedlishvili, member of Georgian national team, 1,5:0,5. In the second round, he won over Giorgi Margvelashvili and in the 3rd round, he beat former champion of Georgia Luka Paichadze.
In the final, Zarkua played against another member of Georgian national team Levan Pantsulaia. 4 main and both 25-minute matches of tie-break finished draw. Then, Zarkua won both 5-minute matches and became champion of Georgia for the first time. Besides gold medal, Zarkua became member of Georgian national team. Georgian Chess Federation will finance him at European Individual Chess Championship 2011 along with vice-champion Levan Pantsulaia and bronze medal winner Luka Paichadze. France will host the tournament since March 20.
Davit Zarkua: I was born in Sokhumi. I have a wife – Monika Kardava and a daughter Anastasia who will turn one year old on April 3. I graduated from Ilia Chavchavadze State University, faculty of Art and Science. As for my wife, she is a journalism faculty student.
I won championship of Georgia and U-20 Championship. Besides that, I am a prize winner of many international tournaments. Title – national master.
- Did you plan winning gold medal before the start of the championship?
- As I said I am national master. I planned to overcome only the first stage because besides No.1 player of the country Baadur Jobava, all strongest sportsmen participated in the tournament.
- Did you consider your victory as a sensation?
- Overcoming 2 circles are unexpected at such tournament. I overcame 4 circles and deserved gold medal. So, I did not consider my victory as a sensation.
- Which opponent was difficult for you to beat?
- The final match was the most difficult.
- Chess players of your age have won World and European Championships. Why could not you become international master?
- I need private coach and participation in international tournaments for it. Finances are important to do it but I do not have money. If I had had some support I would have achieved success.
- Why did you decide to play chess?
- My father taught me how to play chess. He is a philosopher and loves chess very much.
- What do you do now?
- I teach chess to children.
- What can you say about your future plans?
- I will participate in European Individual Chess Championship which is hosted by France since March 20.
Roland Labuchidze
