Four draws on the top ten boards

The 2026 European Women's Chess Championship began on Monday at the Euphoria Convention & Casino Hotel in Batumi, Georgia, with 165 players from 32 federations taking part. The first round was preceded by the opening ceremony, held in the playing hall shortly before the games began.

Akaki Iashvili, President of the Georgian Chess Federation and FIDE Special Task Director, welcomed the players and guests, noting the significance of the event in the European women's chess calendar. Besides deciding the continental title, the championship will also allocate ten places in the next FIDE Women’s World Cup.

Mastering the London System

In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
The London System is one of the most popular openings at every level of chess but not all Londons are the same. In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: 5...cxd4 6.exd4 Qb6 sidelines

The opening ceremony, featuring organisers and dignitaries, took place right before the start of the first round | Photo: European Chess Union

Upset wins

• Alena Skvortsova of Montenegro, rated 2135, defeated Poland's Klaudia Kulon, rated 2377 (board 18).
• Varvara Poliakova, playing under the FIDE flag and rated 2108, beat Romania's Irina Bulmaga, rated 2361. Bulmaga was the runner-up at the 2025 European Women's Championship (board 28).
• Armenia’s Nvard Hayrapetyan, rated 2057, scored a win over Georgia's Sofio Gvetadze, rated 2311 (board 42).
• Polina Kobak of Armenia, rated 1986, beat Poland's Liwia Jarocka, rated 2288 (board 48).

Draws on the top ten boards

• Ukraine's Anna Ushenina, rated 2420, drew with the black pieces against Kseniya Zeliantsova, playing under the FIDE flag and rated 2176, after emerging from the opening with a slightly worse position.
• Georgia's Bella Khotenashvili, rated 2415, held a draw against her compatriot Inga Khurtsilava, rated 2175, despite Khurtsilava obtaining a clearly better position.
• Georgia's Meri Arabidze, the 2023 European champion and rated 2409, was unable to convert a slight edge against Poland's Martyna Starosta, rated 2175, who defended well.
• Bulgaria's Nurgyul Salimova, rated 2404, missed winning chances against Spain's Rebeca Jimenez, rated 2166, and the game ended in a draw.

Fritz 21

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Meri Arabidze is the eighth seed in Batumi | Photo: European Chess Union

Hanna Marie Klek 1-0 Tihana Ivekovic

The Leningrad Dutch Defence - A repertoire against 1.d4, 1.c4 and 1.Nf3

The Leningrad Dutch Defence is a dynamic and aggressive opening choice for Black, perfect for players who want to add some adventure and spice to their repertoire.

The championship is being played in a spacious hall | Photo: European Chess Union

Round 2 pairings

...83 boards

All available games

Links

• Official website
• Full technical information on Chess-Results