Polish chess player Aleksandra Malcewska claimed the gold medal at the European Blitz Chess Championship held in Monaco. The 22-year-old scored an impressive 10.5 points in 13 rounds, surpassing former classical world champions Anna Ushenina of Ukraine and Alexandra Kosteniuk, now representing Switzerland, both with 10 points. Malcewska, ranked 12th pre-tournament, delivered an outstanding performance, winning 10 games, drawing one, and losing only two.
Key Wins Against Strong Opponents
Malcewska defeated top-ranked players, including Ushenina, Kosteniuk, Germany’s Dinara Wagner, and Georgia’s Bella Khotenashvili in the decisive final round. Fellow Polish player Michalina Rudzińska also faced Malcewska mid-tournament and finished sixth with 9 points. Among the 122 participants, Klaudia Kulon placed 11th, while other Polish representatives achieved varying results.
Already the Polish national blitz champion, Malcewska’s victory adds to her impressive résumé, including a silver medal at the European Blitz Championship in 2022 and a bronze in classical chess in 2023.