European Women’s Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2023 took place from 11-15 January 2024 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, gathering 120 players from 26 European federations.
Alexandra Kosteniuk emerged as the Winner of both Rapid and Blitz tournaments, taking the historical double gold.
European Women’s Blitz Chess Championship 2023 was played on 12th of January, with 13 single rounds (swiss system). Heading into the last round of the Blitz Championship, Alexandra Kosteniuk had a sole lead, being a whole point ahead of the runner-ups. However, she suffered a loss in the final round against IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, and three players tied for the top scoring 10 points, each.
Having the best tiebreak criteria, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) claimed gold medal and won her fourth European Women’s Blitz Champion title. IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (ESP) clinched silver and GM Bella Khotenashvili (GEO) came third.
European Women’s Rapid Chess Championship 2023 was played on 13-14 January, with 116 players from 26 European federations. Three players headed into the last round as the co-leaders of the event, with the score of 8/10 points: Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL), Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) and Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI).
While GM Antoaneta Stefanova and GM Elisabeth Paehtz drew in the direct encounter of the last round, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk scored a victory against GM Anna Ushenina (UKR) and emerged as the sole Winner of the European Women’s Rapid Chess Championship 2023.
Three players tied for bronze medal scoring 8.5/11 points, each, but Antoaneta Stefanova had the best tiebreak criteria and clinched silver, Elisabeth Paehtz claimed bronze, and Kulon Klaudia (POL) finished the event in the fourth place.
The Closing ceremony of the European Women’s Blitz Chess Championship 2023 took place on Friday, January 12th, while the Closing ceremony of the European Women’s Rapid Chess Championship took place yesterday evening.
The ceremonies were attended by the ECU President Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili, the President of the Monaco Chess Federation and ECU Vice President Mr. Jean Michel Rapaire, ECU Vice President Mr. Gunnar Bjornsson, ECU Chief Executing Officer Mr. Erald Dervishi, and other distinguished guests.
Final rankings of the Championship can be found here.
Text by European Chess Union
