The 78th Montenegrin Chess Championship began today in Podgorica. The opening ceremony was addressed by the legendary Božidar Bonja Ivanović, honorary president of the Montenegrin Chess Federation, who is himself a participant in the tournament.
The main favorites of the tournament justified their role and achieved victories in the first round.
Defending champion, Grandmaster Nikita Petrov, punished the risky play of young Ilija Milović, who stopped his resistance in the face of indefensible material losses. Denis Kadrić forced Dimitrij Vujović to surrender with a precise attack, while their teammate, Grandmaster Nikola Đukić, outplayed Dragoljub Abramović with the black pieces.
Oleg Jaksin and Blažo Kalezić defeated Miloš Bujišić and Milojko Kandić, respectively, while national team player Nemanja Vukčević celebrated against Dalibor Šćepanović. Grandmaster Božidar Ivanović defeated Mateja Popović.
The favorites in the first round achieved victories, there were no surprises, and four draws were also seen. The eighth seed, FIDE master Miloš Pečurica had to settle for a draw in his duel with Alvir Sijarić, while the game between grandmasters Nebojša Nikčević and Mitar Đukanović also ended in a draw.
11 rounds are scheduled to be played according to the Swiss system, and tomorrow at 16 pm the second round is scheduled, with the following duels: Petrov - Šuković, Vujošević - Kadrić, Đukić - Nikač, Đurović - Jaksin, Kalezić - Šćekić...
The Championship is sponsored by the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the prize fund is 15.000 euros.
Bonus video:
