Men's Georgian 70th Chess Championship started which is hosted by Tbilisi Chess Palace. The championship where 16 chess players are participating is held by Olympic system.
Mikheil Mchedlishvili, Merab Gagunashvili, Tamaz Gelashvili, Davit Arutiniani, Levan Pantsulaia, Konstantine Shanava, Tornike Sanikidze, Davit Benidze, Davit Jojua and Giorgi Margvelashvili won a right to pariticipate in the championship without a competition. They had more than 2500 points at FIDE ranking. As for other chess players of the championship, Malkhaz Sulashvili, Luka Paichidze, Shota Azaladze, Bachana Morchiashvili, Giga Kuparadze and Davit Zarkua, they won a right to compete in Supreme League after successful playing at First League.
The tournament started today and it will end up on January 27. Winners among the pairs will be found out according to the points in main matches. In case of collecting equal points in the main matches, tie-break will find out the best player.
Champion and vice-champion of Georgia will become members of the national team.
I-II-placed sportsmen will participate in Men's Georgian 71st Chess Championship 2012 without a competition. They will be financed for European Individual Men's Chess Championship 2011 and will be rewarded with medals and diplomas.
Prize money of the mentioned championship is 14 500 GEL which will be shared among I-VIII-placed chess players: I place - 4000 GEL, II - 3,500 III - 3000, IV - 2000, V - 500, VI - 500, VII - 500, VIII - 500.
(The mentioned prizes are taxed according to current legislation of Georgia).
International referee Evgeni Melixet-Beg is a main referee of the championship. Zurab Mikadze, vice-president of Georgian Chess Federation, is a director.
The first matches of the 1/8 final were held today. Unexpected result was showed in the match between Mikheil Mchedlishvili and Davit Zarkua. Mikheil Mchedlishvili who was playing with white pieces lost against Davit Zarkua.
Here are the first round results of 1/8 final: Mikheil Mchedlishvili - Davit Zarkua 0:1; Giga Kuparadze - Merab Gagunashvili 0,5:0,5; Levan Pantsulaia - Bachana Morchiashvili 1:0; Shota Azaladze - Tamar Gelashvili 0:1; Davit Arutinyan - Luka Paichadze 0,5:0,5; Malkhaz Sulashvili - Konstantine Shanava 0,5:0,5; Tornike Sanikidze - Davit Jojua 0,5:0,5; Davit Benidze - Giorgi Margvelashvili 0,5:0,5; repeated matches will be held tomorrow.


Roland Labuchidze