Mikheil Mchedlishvili wins 2023 Georgian Championship
Mikheil Mchedlishvili emerged as the winner of the 2023 Georgian Championship, earning his fourth national title. The 82nd Georgian Championship, the 10-player round-robin with classical time control, took place from January 4-13, 2023, at the Nona Gaprindashvili Chess Palace in Tbilisi, Georgia. Although two top Georgian players – Baadur Jobava and the 2022 champion Levan Pantsulaia – did not participate, the event brought together seven GMs and three IMs. Coming into the final round a full point ahead of his main rival, Mikheil Mchedlishvili (pictured above) made a quick draw with the black pieces against IM Gaioz Nigalidze to finish on 7/9 and secure the title. The fifth-seed GM Giga Quparadze (pictured below) also turned in a solid performance and came clear second, scoring 6/9. The champion and the runner-up completed the event undefeated and picked up 15 and 18 rating points, respectively. Three players tied for third place, with Tornike Sanikidze claiming bronze thanks to the best score in the direct encounters. Final standins: 1 GM Mchedlishvili Mikheil 2553 7 2 GM Quparadze Giga 2461 6 3 GM Sanikidze Tornike 2444 5 4 GM Paichadze Luka 2514 5 5 GM Gagunashvili Merab 2560 5 6 IM Kacharava Nikolozi 2538 4½ 7 IM Nigalidze Gaioz 2432 4 8 GM Maghalashvili Davit 2444 4 9 IM Petriashvili Nikoloz 2441 3 10 IM Tutisani Noe 2434 1½ Photos: Georgian Chess Federation Facebook page Official website: gcf.org.ge