European Women’s Rapid and Blitz 2023: Alexandra Kosteniuk wins double gold

The European Women’s Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2023 took place from January 11-15, 2024 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, bringing together 120 players from 26 European federations.

Alexandra Kosteniuk emerged as the winner of both Rapid and Blitz tournaments, taking the historical double gold.

The European Women’s Blitz Championship 2023, a 13-round Swiss event, was played on January 12. Heading into the last round of the competition, Alexandra Kosteniuk had a sole lead, being a whole point ahead of her closest rivals. However, after she suffered a loss at the hands of IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, three players tied for first place, scoring 10 points each.

Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) claimed the gold medal thanks to best tiebreaks, winning her fourth European Women’s Blitz Champion title. IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (ESP) clinched silver, and GM Bella Khotenashvili (GEO) took bronze.

The European Women’s Rapid Chess Championship 2023 took place from January 13-14, with 116 players from 26 European federations participating.

Three players headed into the final round jointly leading the field, all on 8/10: GMs Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL), Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) and Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI).

While Antoaneta Stefanova and GM Elisabeth Paehtz drew their last-round game, Alexandra Kosteniuk defeated Anna Ushenina (UKR) and emerged as the sole winner of the European Women’s Rapid Championship 2023.

Three players tied for second place, netting 8.5/11 points each, but Antoaneta Stefanova had the best tiebreaks and clinched silver, Elisabeth Paehtz claimed bronze, and Klaudia Kulon (POL) finished fourth and missed the podium.

The Closing ceremony of the European Women’s Blitz Chess Championship 2023 took place on Friday, January 12, while the Closing ceremony of the European Women’s Rapid Chess Championship was held on January 14.

The ceremonies were attended by ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili, the President of the Monaco Chess Federation and ECU Vice President Jean Michel Rapaire, ECU Vice President Gunnar Bjornsson, ECU Chief Executing Officer Erald Dervishi, and other distinguished guests.

The final rankings of the championship can be found here.

Written by europechess.org

Photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar

The photo gallery by Patricia Claros Aguilar can be found on the official Facebook page of the event.