Batumi: 18 players with perfect start

by ChessBase
5/27/2026 – After two rounds, as many as 18 players remain on a perfect 2/2 score and share the lead at the European Women’s Championship in Batumi, Georgia. But some of the favourites stumbled. Second seed IM Yuliia Osmak of Ukraine (2451) lost to Germany’s Charis Peglau (2238), while England’s Bodhana Sivanandan (2374, pictured) lost a theoretical battle against Switzerland’s Sofiia Hryzlova. | Photo: Tournament page
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The biggest surprise of the round came on board two, where Germany’s WFM Charis Peglau (2238) defeated second seed IM Yuliia Osmak of Ukraine (2451). Playing White, Osmak gained an edge out of the opening, but Peglau equalized in the middlegame. Both players made inaccuracies in time trouble, yet the balance eventually tipped in Peglau’s favour. The German WFM seized her chance and converted her advantage into a win.

Another upset was scored by Sofiia Hryzlova (2226) against England’s rising star Bodhana Sivanandan (2374). In a sharp theoretical line, the Swiss WIM capitalized on an inaccurate novelty by the young FM.

Standings

Rk. SNr Name FED Elo Pts.  TB1   TB2 
1 3
IM Fataliyeva, Ulviyya AZE 2450 2 0 1
2 5
IM Narva, Mai EST 2426 2 0 1
3 11
IM Kiolbasa, Oliwia POL 2397 2 0 1
4 30
GM Socko, Monika POL 2355 2 0 1
5 40
FM Kazarian, Anna-Maja NED 2317 2 0 1
6 53
WGM Mirzoeva, Elmira ENG 2265 2 0 1
7 68
WIM Hryzlova, Sofiia SUI 2226 2 0 1
8 81
WGM Rudzinska, Michalina POL 2200 2 0 1
9 110
WFM Poliakova, Varvara FID 2108 2 0 1
10 130
WFM Kobak, Polina ARM 1986 2 0 1
11 19
IM Vega Gutierrez, Sabrina ESP 2375 2 0 1
12 51
WGM Schneider, Jana GER 2283 2 0 1
13 52
WIM Velikic, Adela SRB 2277 2 0 1
14 55
WGM Safarli, Josefine GER 2253 2 0 1
15 59
WFM Peglau, Charis GER 2238 2 0 1
16 76
WFM Hnatyshyn, Anastasiia UKR 2207 2 0 1
17 78
WIM Aydin, Gulenay TUR 2204 2 0 1
18 79
WGM Antova, Gabriela BUL 2203 2 0 1
19 1
IM Tsolakidou, Stavroula GRE 2455 1,5 0 1,5
20 4
IM Javakhishvili, Lela GEO 2442 1,5 0 1,5
21 9
IM Wagner, Dinara GER 2408 1,5 0 1,5
22 12
IM Badelka, Olga AUT 2392 1,5 0 1,5
23 23
WGM Klek, Hanna Marie GER 2369 1,5 0 1,5
24 24
WGM Beydullayeva, Govhar AZE 2368 1,5 0 1,5
25 25
IM Mkrtchian, Lilit ARM 2366 1,5 0 1,5

Games

Links

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European Women's Championship - Live!

5/27/2026 – The 25th edition of the European Women's Chess Championship is taking place from 25 May to 5 June in the Georgian city of Batumi. The tournament is played over 11 rounds using the Swiss system. More than 150 players from 32 European federations have registered to participate. Ten players have an Elo rating above 2400. | Follow the games live starting at 13.00 CEST (7.00 ET, 16.30 IST)
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European Women's Championship: A few upsets on opening day in Batumi

5/25/2026 – The 2026 European Women's Chess Championship kicked off in Batumi with 165 players from 32 federations competing for the continental title and ten places in the next FIDE Women's World Cup. The opening round saw several higher-rated players defeated, including Klaudia Kulon and Irina Bulmaga, while four games on the top ten boards were drawn after the favourites failed to convert or had to defend difficult positions. | Pictured: Oliwia Kiolbasa (Poland) | Photo: European Chess Union
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60m English The Elephant Gambit

The Elephant Gambit (1.e4.e5 2.Nf3 d5!?) has never really been given the attention it deserves. It is a very useful surprise weapon. Let us list the advantages of playing this particular opening: 1) Shock value 2) It is very aggressive. Black can take over the initiative early. 3) Many tricky lines 4) Unorthodox. Black is basically taking the game to the opponent as early as move two. Not many openings do that! It's a perfect opening for young players and club players to adopt. Let Andrew Martin select a repertoire for you on this 60 mins, which, if used with discretion, will rack up the points. I am sure that you will enjoy this unusual tour of the Elephant Gambit.