Batumi: Vega and Hnatyshyn share the lead with two rounds to go

Hnatyshyn stuns Fataliyeva

Sabrina Vega and Anastasiia Hnatyshyn are tied for first place with two rounds remaining at the European Women’s Chess Championship in Batumi. Both players stand on 7½/9 after a ninth round in which Vega drew with black against Eline Roebers, while Hnatyshyn defeated Ulviyya Fataliyeva, also with the black pieces.

Hnatyshyn, a 15-year-old Ukrainian WFM and the 76^th seed, began the tournament with an astounding 6/6 before her run was stopped by Georgia’s Meri Arabidze in round seven. The same round saw Vega, the 19^th seed from Spain, defeat Azerbaijan’s Fataliyeva, the 3^rd seed, leaving Hnatyshyn, Vega and Fataliyeva level at the top.

Vega moved into sole first place in round eight by beating Arabidze in a clash of co-leaders, while Hnatyshyn only managed a draw against Olga Badelka. The standings changed again on Wednesday, as Vega was held to a draw by Roebers and Hnatyshyn scored yet another upset win, this time against Fataliyeva, who won the European Women’s Championship in 2024.

Anastasiia Hnatyshyn | Photo: European Chess Union

The two co-leaders have already faced each other in Batumi, with Hnatyshyn beating Vega in round three. Five players stand half a point back on 7/9: Roebers, Badelka, Mai Narva, Nurgyul Salimova and Klaudia Kulon. All five were among the top 20 seeds at the start of the event.

Thursday’s penultimate round will see Hnatyshyn play white against Roebers, while Vega will have black against Salimova. The remaining rounds will also decide the ten qualifying places for the next FIDE Women’s World Cup.

Vega 1-0 Arabidze

Annotations by GM Karsten Müller

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Sabrina Vega facing Meri Arabidze in round eight | Photo: European Chess Union

Fataliyeva 0-1 Hnatyshyn

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.

Ulviyya Fataliyeva v. Anastasiia Hnatyshyn | Photo: European Chess Union

Standings after round 9

…165 players

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