Mikheil Giorgadze congratulated the women's chess team on their success at the World Championship

A celebratory ceremony dedicated to the women's national chess team returning from the World Team Chess Championship was held at the Nona Gaprindashvili Chess Palace. Mikheil Giorgadze, First Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, and Deputy Minister Shalva Gogoladze personally congratulated the bronze medalists of the championship on their successful performance in Astana. The reception was attended by Irakli Dolaberidze, Head of the Sports Department of the Ministry; Giorgi Giorgadze, President of the Chess Federation; veteran chess players; and invited guests.

The women's chess team took third place at the World Team Chess Championship held in Kazakhstan. Coached by Elizbar Ubilava, the team played a tense draw in the final round of the World Team Chess Championship against the strongest team of Russia, which took second place. China claimed the champion title. Georgia and Ukraine shared the 3rd and 4th places with 12 points each. However, based on the total tie-break points, the Georgian national team claimed the bronze medal.

The Georgian women also performed brilliantly on individual boards. Salome Melia won the gold medal on the reserve board, while Meri Arabidze and Lela Javakhishvili won silver medals on the second and third boards, respectively. Team leader Bela Khotenashvili won the bronze medal on the first board. Nino Baciashvili finished fourth on the fourth board, having played all her games with the black pieces.

Following the celebratory ceremony, the 76th Georgian Women's Championship was officially opened. The championship, which will feature the country's leading chess players, will end on March 30.