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 |
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 |
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.
