Round 11: Maltsevskaya From Russia Becomes 2018 Girls U-20 Champion After a Thrilling Final Round


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Info Bulletin

Round 11: Maltsevskaya From Russia Becomes 2018 Girls U-20 Champion After a Thrilling Final Round

Photo by Amruta Mokal / ChessBase India

In the open section we had already the champion determined due to Maghsoodloo’s amazing 9,5/10 but in girls everything remained open and it was clear that today we’ll see big fights on top boards. Girls didn’t disappoint and all games on top boards were extremely interesting with all players trying to win. On the first board Tokhirjonova- Dordziheva ended in a stalemate on 73rd moves after a tough fight with both sides needing a win since on third board Maltsevskaya won against Potapova after some very aggressive play. This meant thanks to her compatriot Dordzhieva’s efforts Maltsevskaya, although having the same points -8,5- with Tokhirjonova, got the first place and became the 2018 World Girls U-20 Chess Champion! Congratulations to Aleksandra Maltsevskaya for her excellent result and also very impressive level of play she showed throughout the championship! Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonava from Uzbekistan has got thanks to her brilliant late run second place and on third place, probably Caissa has some mercy after all, we see Nino Khomeriki from Georgia with 8 points who truly deserved it with her excellent start of 6/6 and also very high level of chess much above the average.

In open section Andrey Esipenko became the hero of the day winning against a relaxed Maghsoodloo on top board in a game where he pressed throughout the game until his opponent finally cracked. Some balance in the things at work after Maghsoodloo’s meteoric rise perhaps? Anyway accomplishing this heroic feat unfortunately for Esipenko didn’t mean a medal since the Russian talent didn’t have better tiebreak than the Indian GM Abhimanyu Puranik (2nd) and another Russian IM Sergei Lobanov. (3rd)

Congratulations to Maghsoodloo, Puranik and Lobanov as well as all the other players who showed great sportsmanship and produced excellent fighting chess. We hope it’s been a joy for them to compete here and expect to see them soon in another international event! Best of luck to all young players in their future careers!