As far as you know, Bela Khotenashvili (2505), the Georgian chess player, cause a sensation at the first stage of Grand Prix tournament 2013-14 and won the championship.
The tournament was held in Geneva, Switzerland. Khotenashvili ranked 8th among 12 participants, though, she gained 8.0 points in 11 rounds and celebrated the victory.
Bela Khotenashvili hold the final party with the black pieces against the current champion of Ukraine Anna ushenina (2491) and played an acceptable draw for her, at the concluding press – conference she made the following comment :
“I am very happy for this victory. This is one of the best results during my career. I would like to thank the Georgian Chess Federation, to the president Gia Giorgadze and to my coach, Davit Jojua for the help”.
As you know, the Grand Prix consists of six stages. 60 000 Euros allocated for each stage, which is distributed in the following order: I place – 10 000 Euro (+160 points), II – 8 250 (+130), III – 6 750 (+120), IV – 5 750 (+90), V – 5 000 (+80), VI – 4 500 (+70), VII – 4 250 (+60), VIII – 4 000 (+50), IX – 3 250 (+40), X – 3 000 (+30), XI – 2 750 (+20), XII – 2 500 (+10).
In that way, Bela Khotenashvili is a leader with 160 points, Nana Dzagnidze (2545) gained 90 points. According to the regulation, each of chess players should take part in four tournaments. Three of their best results will be displayed in the final counting.
The next step will underway in dilizhan, Armenia on June 15-29 and the Georgian players will play there too. It is already known that besides Khotenashvili and Dzagnidze, Koneru (India), Muzychuk (Slovenia), n. Kosintseva (Russia), Stefanova (Bulgaria), cmilyte (Lithuania), harika (India), ushenina (Ukraine), Danielian (Armenia), Gere (Russia) and batchimegi (Mongolia) will be involved in this tournament.
With a decision on FIDE, Tbilisi will host the 5th stage of Grand Prix tournament. The next tournament will be held in 2014, from 18 June till 2 July.
As far as you know, the winner of the Grand Prix will play against the planet’s best chess player Anna Ushenina for the title of champion in 2015. Anna Ushenina won the championship last year with a system of knock out and in order to keep the title she will play against the 2011-12 Grand Prix winner, twice world champion Hou Yifan (China).
Dato Manjavidze
