In Geneva, the first tournament of women's chess Grand Prix series 2013-14 were attended by two members of the Georgian team-Nana Dzagnidze and Bela Khotenashvili. Competition debutant Khotenashvili has gained 8 points out of 11 possible, ahead of the closest opponent, Slovak Anna Muzychuk points on the floor and took first place.
As for the top seed of Georgia -Dzagnidze in the final round won over the former world champion Hou Yifan (China) and shared the third place with Nadzezhda Kosintseva.
We tried hard, but could not contact Khotenashvili in Geneva so we asked for comment on a statement by Georgian female chess players at the tournament for the first Grand Prix of the President of Chess Federation of Georgia Gia Giorgadze.
-Did you expect such success from Khotenashvili?
At the meeting of the board of the Federation, we set the goal of taking the 5th place for Bela. She made up and took first place. Congratulations to all the fans of the Georgian chess with this great achievement. Well played, and the 2nd Georgian chess player Nana Dzagnidze, who shared the III-IV places with Nadezhda Kosintseva. I am so pleased that even words fail me. With this success and I want to congratulate the coach of Bela Khotenashvili, international gross- master David Jojua.
-How Georgian chess players have been preparing for this tournament?
-They have been preparing at Tbilisi Chess Palace, where all the conditions have been established.
-In your opinion, what caused the victory of Khotenashvili?
-Many might wonder, but the success of Bela at this tournament Grand Prix I explain her physical readiness.
-Then say, what is the main thing for achieving success for a chess player?
-Primarily physical, and theoretical, practical and psychological preparedness. Otherwise it will be very difficult to achieve success.
-And I want to ask about the team competition in the world among women, where we took the 4-th place. This result was evaluated as failure because we were considered favorites.
-Many of the wealthier and more developed countries compete at this tournament than Georgia, and they just dream to take 4th place at World Cup, but based on our capabilities, it was rated as bad.
If we had managed to keep the advantages of at least half of the parties at World Cup, we would take the the2nd place. After the tournament we had a serious conversation with the members of the team and their managers.
-Whether the cause of the failure, poor physical readiness?
-I agree that one of the main reasons was a bad physical readiness. Therefore, before travelling to Geneva I always warned Bela to devote more time to this component. She took my advice and that's success to the face. Example of Béla should become contagious for all Georgian female chess players.
