Women’s and Men’s Georgian U-18 Chess Championship ended up. The championship was held at Tbilisi Chess Palace in Vera Park.

Nine rounds were held at the championship where 44 chess players (19 girls, 25 boys) participated. Both tournament turned out so tense that prize winners were not known till the end of the last round. After the 8^th round, Meri Arabidze, favorite of women’s tournament, was half point ahead of Lika Kobeshavidze (6 points) and she needed draw to take the first place. The match between Meri Arabidze and Ana Kuchava ended up draw on the 18^th move. Arabidze collected 7 points from 9 and took the 1^st place. After beating Mariam Tevzadze, Kobeshavidze had 7 points but she took the 2^nd place because Arabidze had better coefficient than her.

Nani Unapkoshvili, Natia Jalabadze and Nato Imnadze earned 6-6 points and took the 3^rd-4^th-5^th places.

Men’s tournament turned out more tense. After the 8^th round, Zurab Javakhadze, Irakli Beradze and Nodar Lortkipanidze were leading the championship with 6,5-6,5 points. It is worth mentioning, that they played with black pieces in the 9^th round. Nodar Lortkipanidze lost against Nika Volkov (5). As for Javakhadze and Beradze who played against Giorgi Sibashvili and Giorgi Nikolashvili (5-5), played draws and collected 7-7 points. Javakhadze took the 1^st place and Beradze took the 2^nd place. As for Lortkipanidze, he took the 3^rd place.

Champions won a right to compete in World Championship and vice-champions – in European Championship. Georgian Chess Federation will finance them.

Women’s and Men’s Georgian U-18 Chess Championship 2011

Girls

1.    Meri Arabidze (7)

2.    Lika Kobeshavidze (7)

3.    Nani Unapkoshvili (6)

Men

1.    Zurab Javakhadze (7)

2.    Irakli Beradze (7)

3.    Nodar Lortkipanidze (6.5)

Roland Labuchidze