The coastal city of Budva concluded its run as the epicentre of Mediterranean chess, successfully hosting the prestigious Montenegro Open & Mediterranean Open & Women Championships 2026.
Held from July 4 to July 11, 2026, the chess festival transformed the “Danilo Kiš” school into a high-stakes competitive arena, bringing together elite international masters, rising youth talents, and seasoned regional veterans to vie for a substantial €39,000 prize pool.
The centerpiece of the festival, the powerhouse Open A tournament (incorporating the Mediterranean Championships 2026), lived up to its high-octane expectations. Reserved for players with FIDE ratings above 2000, the elite division attracted an exceptional field of 163 competitors representing 37 different nations. Reflecting the immense depth and strength of the field, the tournament featured a staggering roster of 22 Grandmasters (GMs) and 26 International Masters (IMs), ensuring fierce combat on the top boards from the very first round.
After nine grueling rounds of classical chess, played under the standard time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves plus 15 minutes for the rest of the game, the top of the leaderboard witnessed an extraordinary logjam. Four players emerged at the top by scoring 7 points out of a possible 9.
Ultimately, it was the experienced GM Evgeny Romanov (MKD, 2548) who clinched the champion’s trophy and the prestigious title, having been declared the winner based on the superior tiebreak criteria.
Sharing the top spot on points but finishing as the runner-up was Montenegro’s own, GM Nikita Petrov (MNE, 2555), who represented the host nation with distinction. The third-place medal went to the top seed of the tournament, GM Lorenzo Lodici (ITA, 2576).
The absolute sensation of the tournament, however, was IM Olga Badelka (AUT, 2406). Badelka finished in a brilliant fourth place overall on 7/9 points, securing her status as the undisputed best female player of the tournament.
In the highly competitive Open B division, reserved strictly for players rated below 2000 FIDE, a field of 104 players engaged in an intense battle for the €8,000 prize pool.
Unlike the razor-thin margins of Open A, the Open B tournament produced a clear, dominant victor. First-seeded local favorite Milojko Kandic (MNE, 1993) put on a display of chess strength, steamrolling through the field to finish alone in first place. Kandic secured an outstanding 8 points out of 9 games, leaving no doubt about his dominance and claiming the top prize of €1,600. His commanding performance is sure to propel him past the 2000 FIDE rating threshold in the next official rating list.
Organized by the Montenegro Chess Federation (MCF) under the patronage of the Mediterranean Chess Association (MCA), the Ministry of Sports of Montenegro, and the Municipality of Budva, the festival was praised by players and officials alike.
Open A final standings:
1 GM Romanov Evgeny MKD 2548 – 7
2 GM Petrov Nikita MNE 2555 – 7
3 GM Lodici Lorenzo ITA 2576 – 7
4 IM Badelka Olga AUT 2406 – 7
5 FM Bicer Atakan Mert TUR 2364 – 6.5
6 GM Shyam Sundar M. IND 2478 – 6.5
7 IM Saraci Nderim KOS 2466 – 6.5
8 GM Kadric Denis MNE 2517 – 6.5
9 IM Celik Hasan Huseyin TUR 2490 – 6.5
10 IM Ljepic Andrej SRB 2428 – 6.5
11 GM Georgiev Kiril BUL 2525 – 6.5
12 IM Sai Krishna G V CAN 2450 – 6
13 GM Stopa Jacek POL 2360 – 6
14 IM Camlar Arda TUR 2497 – 6
15 IM Mohamed Anees M IND 2415 – 6
16 GM Kantans Toms LAT 2559 – 6
17 FM Erten Kerem TUR 2472 – 6
18 FM Kacprzak Karol POL 2345 – 6
19 Poghosyan Davit ARM 1947 – 6
20 GM Djukic Nikola MNE 2470 – 6
21 CM Skvortsov Andrei MNE 2316 – 6
22 GM Postny Evgeny ISR 2528 – 6
23 IM Nikolovski Nikola MKD 2388 – 6
24 GM Arnaudov G. Petar BUL 2399 – 6
25 IM Mcphillips Joseph ENG 2382 – 6
26 FM Zlatkov Anton MKD 2388 – 6
27 FM Ristic Luka SRB 2312 – 5.5
28 IM Risteski Emil MKD 2408 – 5.5
29 CM Deveci Huseyin Said TUR 2250 – 5.5
30 FM Kacprzak Kacper POL 2361 – 5.5
31 GM De La Riva Aguado Oscar AND 2431 – 5.5
32 WIM Kantane Anna POL 2190 – 5.5
33 IM Kalezic Blazo MNE 2400 – 5.5
34 Kramich Aliaksei BLR 2275 – 5.5
35 FM Ribera Veganzones Serni AND 2303 – 5.5
36 FM Charvi A IND 2204 – 5.5
37 FM Hulka Valentyn UKR 2344 – 5.5
38 FM Odegov Artem FID 2244 – 5.5
39 WGM Krasteva Beloslava BUL 2304 – 5.5
40 IM Lazov Toni MKD 2391 – 5.5
41 FM Cvitan Ena CRO 2281 – 5.5
42 FM Djurovic Peko MNE 2224 – 5.5
43 CM Saraci Korab KOS 2226 – 5.5
44 IM Sahib Singh IND 2347 – 5
45 GM Draskovic Luka MNE 2491 – 5
46 Kazakov Vadim RUS 2097 – 5
47 IM Maltsevskaya Aleksandra POL 2360 – 5
48 WIM Orian Noga ISR 2278 – 5
49 CM Mamikonyan Artem T ARM 2210 – 5
50 GM Milanovic Danilo SRB 2364 – 5
51 FM Fomkin Dmitry RUS 2358 – 5
52 Mihov Filip MKD 2234 – 5
53 GM Nikcevic Nebojsa MNE 2315 – 5
54 CM Odabasi Ruzgar TUR 2182 – 5
55 Tsirilman Guy ISR 2213 – 5
56 FM Kochavi Dana ISR 2112 – 5
57 FM Karaca Yigit TUR 2141 – 5
58 CM Ersoz Teoman Guney TUR 2123 – 5
59 FM Zherebtsova Alexandra MNE 2272 – 5
60 FM Ramaj Ergit ALB 2333 – 5
61 FM Kracht Raphael GER 2329 – 5
62 Maghakyan Hayk ARM 2060 – 5
63 Bulatov Ramil RUS 2202 – 5
64 WFM Sreekarthika Velmurugan SGP 2222 – 5
65 FM Sukovic Andrej MNE 2297 – 5
66 Miletic Vuk MNE 2228 – 5
67 CM Elier Ali LBA 2184 – 5
68 IM Bukal Vladimir Jr. CRO 2282 – 5
69 CM Duchan Yoav ISR 2222 – 5
70 GM Kovacevic Blazimir CRO 2380 – 4.5
71 CM Mnatsakanyan Aren ARM 2201 – 4.5
72 IM Han Yichen NED 2437 – 4.5
73 FM Bagwe Gaurang IND 2311 – 4.5
74 Atienza Alvarez Javier ESP 2084 – 4.5
75 GM Mammadov Zaur AZE 2420 – 4.5
76 IM Stankovic Milos SRB 2425 – 4.5
77 Dal Emir Saygin TUR 2107 – 4.5
78 FM Veljanoski Andrej MKD 2296 – 4.5
79 IM Arsovic Zoran SRB 2317 – 4.5
80 FM Sherali Pattnaik IND 2174 – 4.5
81 FM Uruci Endrit KOS 2367 – 4.5
82 Paarshva Parmar IND 2063 – 4.5
83 WCM Anishka Vikram IND 2163 – 4.5
84 Burns Michael MKD 2158 – 4.5
85 Novikau Mikita BLR 2156 – 4.5
86 WFM Kiseleva Arina CRO 2141 – 4.5
87 Ribstein Orel ISR 2190 – 4.5
88 WFM Caku Kler ALB 2034 – 4.5
89 FM Szalay-Ocsak Bank HUN 2175 – 4.5
90 FM Celik Ali Alper TUR 2250 – 4.5
91 CM Bryant Harry ENG 2149 – 4.5
92 Kapitsa Matvey RUS 2090 – 4.5
93 IM Tisaj Domen SLO 2419 – 4.5
94 David Idan ISR 2156 – 4.5
95 CM Lauda Alexandr MDA 2224 – 4
96 CM Fisher Timofey FID 2192 – 4
97 CM Jagreet Misra IND 2260 – 4
98 FM Kisic Bozidar MNE 2197 – 4
99 CM Vihaan Dumir IND 2132 – 4
100 WFM Tashkinova Sofiia ISR 2094 – 4
101 WCM Sharvaanica A S IND 2050 – 4
102 CM Krstic David SLO 2163 – 4
103 Simsek Ayaz TUR 2125 – 4
104 WFM Sunyuktha C M N IND 2159 – 4
105 FM Rama Lorenc ALB 2105 – 4
106 IM Vujosevic Vladimir MNE 2244 – 4
107 WGM Mammadova Narmin AZE 2229 – 4
108 Esmer Ege BUL 1972 – 4
109 WFM Sovetbekova Nurai KGZ 2003 – 4
110 Ozturk Efe TUR 2070 – 4
111 Karisik Nenad MNE 2142 – 4
112 AFM Tavasja Elvis ALB 2100 – 4
113 WFM Ramya Krishna USA 2079 – 4
114 WFM Rodriguez Redondo Adhara ESP 2158 – 3.5
115 GM Drazic Sinisa SRB 2224 – 3.5
116 WFM Rindhiya V IND 2038 – 3.5
117 CM Borshch Alexei FID 2169 – 3.5
118 GM Ivanovic Bozidar MNE 2321 – 3.5
119 Pusara Mihailo MNE 2167 – 3.5
120 CM Saksham Wadhwa IND 2189 – 3.5
121 Arav Vinod IND 1938 – 3.5
122 WIM Ivana Maria Furtado IND 2182 – 3.5
123 Novodvorskiy Dmitriy Al FID 2074 – 3.5
124 AFM Sakotic Nikola SRB 2110 – 3.5
125 WIM Berke Ana CRO 2090 – 3.5
126 FM Asllani Muhamet KOS 2283 – 3.5
127 WFM Skvortsova Alena MNE 2169 – 3.5
128 WFM Deak-Sala Emilia AUT 2125 – 3.5
129 Adamovic Nikola SRB 2083 – 3.5
130 Simunic Krunoslav CRO 2052 – 3.5
131 Isakhanyan Avik ARM 2024 – 3.5
132 WFM Kalyoncu Beren TUR 2120 – 3.5
133 FM Vukcevic Nemanja MNE 2366 – 3.5
134 WFM Kiousi Panagiota GRE 2033 – 3.5
135 GM Efimov Igor MNC 2297 – 3.5
136 WFM Keerti Shree Reddy IND 1969 – 3
137 Soghomonyan Tigran ARM 2147 – 3
138 IM Tadic Stefan SRB 2435 – 3
139 WIM Milovic Aleksandra MNE 2103 – 3
140 Sibincic Nikola BIH 1991 – 3
141 WCM Danduprolu Ridhi Varma USA 2032 – 3
142 Zizic Djordje MNE 2155 – 3
143 WFM Shabanaj Eglantina ALB 1942 – 3
144 WFM Yash Jyoti Bir IND 1954 – 3
145 Tadic Stefan M SRB 2016 – 3
146 Petricevic Mateo CRO 2093 – 3
147 CM Tisma Ivan SRB 1987 – 3
148 Cani Erdi ALB 1948 – 2.5
149 Hjort Jens L NOR 2009 – 2.5
150 FM Gusev Mikhail SRB 2302 – 2.5
151 Soybert Ori ISR 2009 – 2.5
152 Vidur Rajagopal IND 1917 – 2.5
153 WCM Drishtee Ghosh IND 2014 – 2.5
154 Ivanovic Marko SRB 2291 – 2.5
155 FM Milekic Daniel BIH 2174 – 2.5
156 Abdurahman Ahmet Selim MKD 1929 – 2.5
157 Krish Ryan Krishna IND 1824 – 2.5
158 Milovic Ilija MNE 2069 – 2.5
159 Vujovic Dimitrije MNE 2067 – 2.5
160 FM Nikolic Nebojsa MNE 2274 – 2
161 Khizhnyakov Mikhail Mak FID 1799 – 1.5
162 WFM Sala Giulia ITA 2106 – 1.5
163 Garabetyan Arno TUR 2064 – 1
Open B final standings:
1 Kandic Milojko 1993 MNE – 8
2 Borsch Alexander 1864 RUS – 7.5
3 Kola Elvis 1964 ALB – 7.5
4 Lagashin Pavel 1994 FID – 7
5 Aadith R 1807 IND – 7
6 Krasin Boris Vsev 1947 FID – 6.5
7 Gokcan Bora 1853 TUR – 6.5
8 Pavlovic Aleksej 1808 SRB – 6.5
9 Kozlov Kirill Dm. 1733 RUS – 6.5
10 Divljan Borisa 1924 BIH – 6
11 Sarisin Ali Bora 1604 TUR – 6
12 Babamusta Andi 1846 ALB – 6
13 Omerovic Damir 1804 BIH – 6
14 Pikula Rodoljub 1962 MNE – 6
15 Perosevic Aleksandar 1989 MNE – 6
16 Makeeva Margarita Rom 1709 RUS – 6
17 Markova Varvara Vas 1452 RUS – 6
18 Basic Nemanja 1894 SRB – 6
19 Ivanovic Ilija 1921 MNE – 6
20 Pestek Elvis 1983 BIH – 5.5
21 Gokdemir Demir 1844 TUR – 5.5
22 Tomic Miljan 1736 SRB – 5.5
23 Milovanovic Milos 1941 SUI – 5.5
24 Tomic Dimitrije 1890 SRB – 5.5
25 Isakhanyan Nare 1828 ARM – 5.5
26 Vukovic Krsto 1878 MNE – 5.5
27 Simic Vladica 1995 SRB – 5.5
28 Soloviov Artiom 1708 RUS – 5.5
29 Aghoyan Gevorg 1869 ARM – 5
30 Lazarevic Zoran 1967 MNE – 5
31 Grabova Ervin 1827 ALB – 5
32 Pavlovic David 1821 MNE – 5
33 Xhemali Joan 1705 ALB – 5
34 Bujisic Milos 1987 MNE – 5
35 Palkhouski Hleb 1755 MNE – 5
36 Vico Milan 1876 MNE – 5
37 Andric Vladimir 1969 SRB – 5
38 AIM Ignatenko Boris Al 1696 RUS – 5
39 Zarudniak Elisei 1648 MNE – 5
40 Ajradinoska Indzi 1797 MKD – 5
41 Agic Zejn 1581 MNE – 5
42 Tok Ege 1581 TUR – 5
43 Karnaukhov Artem 0 MNE – 5
44 Burns Kayla 1529 MKD – 5
45 Peric Toman 1777 MNE – 5
46 Budumlu Masal 1505 TUR – 5
47 Dedeic Huso 1972 MNE – 4.5
48 Mitric Nebojsa 1835 MNE – 4.5
49 Georgieva Emilia 1892 BUL – 4.5
50 Mandjarelo Andrej 1556 MNE – 4.5
51 Rajkovic Petra 1703 SRB – 4.5
52 Gunay Yagiz Gunes 1470 TUR – 4.5
53 AFM Draskovic Veljko 1691 SRB – 4.5
54 Kurt Arda 1647 TUR – 4.5
55 Petrovic Slavko 1847 MNE – 4.5
56 Vukasovic Vlado 1698 MNE – 4.5
57 Sevastsyanchuk Anastasiya 1758 FID – 4.5
58 Raonic Ljubisav 1610 MNE – 4
59 Altinok Mehmet Akif 1574 TUR – 4
60 Atceken Ismet Kagan 1665 TUR – 4
61 Tomic Bogdan 1576 SRB – 4
62 Malisic Miroslav 1941 MNE – 4
63 Ramaj Dea 1520 ALB – 4
64 Jeknic Velimir 1903 MNE – 4
65 Rabrenovic Matija 1769 MNE – 4
66 Blanusa Vukan 1545 SRB – 4
67 Kalac Hajran 1733 MNE – 4
68 David Adar 1539 ISR – 4
69 Burns Joshua Benjamin 1558 MKD – 4
70 Glisovic Helena 1486 SRB – 4
71 Yalcin Emir 1580 TUR – 4
72 Kornilova Kira 0 MNE – 4
73 Vujadinovic Zeljko 1807 MNE – 4
74 Stojanovic Vuk V 1593 SRB – 4
75 Andrijasevic Dorotea 1478 MNE – 4
76 Arnaut Mina 1452 SRB – 4
77 Vujovic Andrija 1520 MNE – 3.5
78 Aleksandrov Lev 1694 SRB – 3.5
79 Burns Elisaveta 1558 MKD – 3.5
80 Radovic Ilija 1429 SRB – 3.5
81 Mitrovic Danilo 1562 MNE – 3.5
82 Avakyan Gabriela 1454 ARM – 3.5
83 Caku Mia 1575 ALB – 3.5
84 Turali Can Yigit 1536 TUR – 3.5
85 Markovic Matija D 1653 MNE – 3.5
86 Aleksandrov Leonid 1476 SRB – 3
87 Cabarkapa Jakov 1553 MNE – 3
88 Moskovljevic Milos 0 SRB – 3
89 Angjelovski Luka 1410 MKD – 3
90 Lacmanovic Radenko 1631 MNE – 3
91 Vukovic Stefan 1469 MNE – 3
92 Trubina Adelina 1639 MNE – 3
93 Baranlioglu Demir Alaz 0 TUR – 3
94 Trubina Amelija 1498 MNE – 2.5
95 Gunay Yagmur Gunce 0 TUR – 2.5
96 Konopljev Jurij Vuk 1545 MNE – 2.5
97 Lakusic Zoran 1725 MNE – 2.5
98 Trubina Vasilina 0 MNE – 2.5
99 Mandic Branko 1711 MNE – 2.5
100 Babamusta Aiden 0 ALB – 2.5
101 Yalcin Kerem 0 TUR – 2
102 Gokdemir Kuzey 0 TUR – 1.5
103 Capo Henri 0 ALB – 1.5
104 Cimbaljevic Miroslav 1843 MNE – 1.5
