Leon Livaić is the new champion of Croatia. The 23-year-old GM from Zagreb took the first national title in his career and picked 16 rating points.
The Croatian Championship, a 12-player round-robin with classical time control, took place in the premises of the Zagreb Chess Federation from December 5-13. The winner of the 2022 championship, Ivan Saric, opted not to defend his title due to a busy schedule.
The event was a close race of four 2500+ grandmasters up to Round 8, in which Leon Livaić grabbed the sole lead and never looked back. Coming to the final round a full point ahead of Sasha Martinovic and Marin Bosiocic, he drew with Zdenko Kozul from the position of strength and secured the title with an excellent score of 8.5/11. The champion became the only unbeaten participant in the event.
Marin Bosiocic gradually outplayed Lovro Novosel in an equal minor-piece endgame and gained silver as Sasha Martinovic made a quick draw with Nenad Fercec and settled for bronze.
Final standings:
|
1 |
GM |
Livaić, Leon |
2543 |
8½ |
|
2 |
GM |
Bosiočić, Marin |
2545 |
8 |
|
3 |
GM |
Martinović, Saša |
2556 |
7½ |
|
4 |
GM |
Kožul, Zdenko |
2532 |
7 |
|
5 |
GM |
Ferčec, Nenad |
2401 |
5½ |
|
6 |
IM |
Bukal, Vladimir |
2337 |
5½ |
|
7 |
GM |
Palac, Mladen |
2478 |
5 |
|
8 |
IM |
Tica, Sven |
2448 |
4½ |
|
9 |
FM |
Novosel, Lovro |
2370 |
4½ |
|
10 |
GM |
Rogić, Davor |
2431 |
4 |
|
11 |
GM |
Kovačević, Blažimir |
2400 |
3 |
|
12 |
IM |
Režan, Saša |
2406 |
3 |
Official website: hrvatski-sahovski-savez.hr/
Photos: Official website
