World Senior Chess Championship has started in the city of Greece, Kamena Vourla. Three Georgian chess players, including Nona Gaprindashvili (2350), are participating in it.
In the first round all three Georgians achieved success. Gaprindashvili beat Olga Lopatin of Germany (2091) with black pieces. Nino Melashvili (2128) defeated Hannelore Hoose of Germany (1750) with white pieces. Tamar Khmiadashvili (2115) won over Larisa Savostina of Russia (1620) with black pieces.
In the second round Gaprindashvili will play against Melashvili and Khmiadashvili – against current world champion Galina Strutinskaya (Russia, 2325).
128 chess players from 39 countries are competing in the championship. The tournament is based on Swiss system and 11 rounds will be held. World Senior Championship will end up on November 25.
It is the 23rd World Senior Championship. Tamar Khmiadashvili (1998, 1999, 2003) and Nona Gaprindashvili (1995, 2009) have won this title from Georgians.
