Kosovo* Championship: Nderim Saraçi and Arlinda Aliu take titles
Nderim Saraçi and Arlinda Aliu emerged as the winners of the Kosovo* Chess Championship 2023. The competitions in open and women sections, Swiss tournaments with classical time control, took place at the premises of the Hotel “AFA” in Pristina (the capital of Kosovo) from December 22-30, 2023. The rating favorite IM Nderim Saraci dominated the open category clinching his tenth national title with a perfect 9/9 score. Nderim won triple crown, coming out on top in the rapid (8/9) and blitz (13/13) events. Muhamet Asllani finished second on 7.5/9 and took silver; CM Korab Saraci tied for third place with IM Bedri Sadiki and Arsim Kelmendi and won bronze thanks to a superior Buchholz. Final standings open: 1 IM Saraci, Nderim 2461 9 2 Asllani, Muhamet 2202 7½ 3 CM Saraci, Korab 2196 6 4 IM Sadiku, Bedri 2133 6 5 Kelmendi, Arsim 2061 6 6 Rama, Rame 1948 5½ 7 Aliu, Besnik 1947 5½ 8 Aliti, Rrahman 1952 5 9 FM Hamiti, Gani 2129 5 10 Boshnjakaj, Hysen 0 5 Complete standings In the women’s competition, Arlinda Aliu defended her title of Kosovo women’s champion with the final round victory over Lorenda Saraçi. Arlinda collected 6.5/7, winning six games and drawing with Jona Reçica. It is Arlinda Aliu’s fourth national title. Final standings women: 1 Aliu, Arlinda 1759 6½ 2 WCM Saraci, Rinesa 1595 6 3 Recica, Jona 1348 5½ 4 WCM Saraci, Ndriqona 1401 5 5 Saraci, Nita 1507 4 6 Elshani, Erisa 4 7 Hoxha, Donjete 3 8 Saraci, Lorenda 3 9 Salihu, Donika 2 10 Bunjaku, Mejreme 2 Complete standings Official website: shahu-rks.com *All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.