The European Womenโs Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2025 took place from 8-12 January in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
The Championship gathered record-breaking 143 players from 30 European federations in the Rapid competition, while 120 players from 30 federations took part in the Blitz Chess Championship.
The event commenced with the European Womenโs Blitz Chess Championship 2025 which was played on Friday, 9th of January. The Winner of the tournament was determined in the dramatical final round and direct top place encounter between GM Bella Khotenashvili (GEO) and IM Eline Roebers (NED). Bella Khotenashvili had a full point edge upon the final round, but 19-year-old IM Eline Roebers scored a win in the final round to score 10/13 points, catch Khotenashvili on the top, and clinch the gold medal thanks to direct encounter tiebreak criteria!
As many as four players tied for the third place scoring 9.5 points each: IM Oliwia Kiolbasa (POL), IM Yuliia Osmak (UKR), GM Nino Batsiashvili (GEO), and WGM Alicja Sliwicka (POL). Having the best tiebreaks, IM Oliwia Kiolbasa claimed bronze medal.
A similar final-round scenario was seen at the European Womenโs Rapid Chess Championship 2025 which was played from 10-11 January in the same venue. Heading into the last round, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) had a sole lead with a full point edge over GM Nino Batsiashvili (GEO). The very last round featured a direct encounter between Batsiashvili and Kosteniuk who played for the trophy. Having White pieces, GM Nino Batisashvili pushed for a win, defeated GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, and clinched the title with the final score of 9/11 points.
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk finished second, while six players tied for bronze medal scoring 8 points each: IM Sofio Gvetadze (GEO), IM Mai Narva (EST), IM Eline Roebers (NED), IM Ekaterina Atalik (TUR), FM Anastasia Avramidou (GRE), and IM Irina Bulmaga (ROU). Thanks to the best tiebreak criteria, IM Gvetadze Sofio won the medal and stood on the podium.
The Closing ceremony of the event took place yesterday evening in the playing venue with the attendance of the ECU President Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili, ECU Vice President and President of the Monaco Chess Federation Mr. Jean-Michel Rapaire, ECU Vice President Mr. Malcolm Pein, ECU Vice President Mr. Gunnar Bjornsson, ECU Vice President Mr. Alojzije Jankovic, ECU CEO Mr. Erald Dervishi, ECU Commercial Chief Advisor Mr. Moshe Slav, eventโs supporter Mr. Evren Ucok, and other distinguished guests.
The ECU President addressed the players, congratulated the Winners, and officially declared the event closed, and with the other distinguished attendees joined the Awarding ceremony for the medalists of the European Womenโs Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2025, and winners of the special awards โ the best veteran 50+ players, the best Monaco players, the best players in different rating categories, the best PACA players, and the best Alpes Maritimes player.
Final rankings can be found here.
Photos by Patricia Claros Aguilar
