23 May 2016

Ernesto Inarkiev Wins European Championship

A draw in the last round secured him the title.

In the 11th round of the European Individual Championship in Kosovo, Ernesto Inarkiev, playing Black, made a draw with grandmaster Piorun from Poland, and became the champion of Europe with 9 points in 11 rounds. 

Grandmaster Igor Kovalenko (Latvia) took clear second with 8.5 points. Baadur Jobava (Georgia), David Navara (Czech Republic), and Francisco Vallejo (Spain) tied for third with 8. Jobava had the best tie-break and was awarded the bronze. 

Apart from the players mentioned above, the following group of players qualified for the World Cup:

Wojtaszek, Piorun (both Poland), Fressinet (France), Goganov, Dubov, Vitiugov, Najer, Dreev, Demchenko (all – Russia), Cheparinov (Bulgaria), Ohanessian (Armenia), S. Zhigalko, Stupak (Belarus), Palac (Croaia), Salgado Lopez, Guijarro (Spain), Nisipeanu (Germany), Tari (Norway).