GM Viktor Gažík and IM Zuzana Hagarová are the newly crowned Slovak chess champions.
The 2026 edition of the Slovak national championship, held in the Open and Women sections, took place in Bratislava from 13 to 21 June. Both competitions were 10-player round-robins with classical time control.
The open event developed into a tight race between defending champion Gažík and GM Peter Michalík. The pair shared the lead until Round 6, where their paths diverged. Gažík scored two consecutive victories and pulled away as Michalík managed only two draws.
Despite losing in the penultimate round to IM Vladimír Bochnička, Gažík Gažík bounced back to defeat GM Filip Haring in the final round. Totaling 7/9 he successfully defended his title. The runner-up Michalík finished a full point behind the champion, while GM Juraj Druska completed the podium with 5.5/9.
The women’s event proved to be even more exciting and came down to the wire. As tournament fate would have it, the joint leaders – Zuzana Hagarová and WIM Svetlana Sučikova (both on 6.5/8) – clashed in the final round. Hagarová pulled off a crucial victory and claimed the title. Sučikova settled for the silver medal, while WFM Monika Rojíčková took bronze with 5.5/9.
Photos: Slovenský šachový zväz
Official website: https://www.msr2026.chess.sk/index.html