The 5th edition of the Mediterranean Chess Championship held in Sousse, Tunisia, was a bumper event with sixty participants coming from seventeen different countries taking part.

This bodes well for the organizers and reflects the growing interest in the tournament.

Current Malta champion, Patrick Zerafa and ex Malta Champion Peter Sammut Briffa represented Malta in this event and crossed swords with their Mediterranean counterparts.

Both Zerafa and Sammut Briffa played at their expected level scoring four points each.

The tournament served as a significant international experience for nineteen year old Zerafa who had the pleasure of defeating International Master Saad Belouadah, of Algeria, in Round one.

The overall tournament was won by International Master Darko Doric from Croatia ahead of Grandmaster Suat Atalik of Turkey who was holder of the crown for the last two editions.

The third place was taken by the likable International Master from Mallorca, Spain, Sergio Estremera who is a very solid player. Estremera was accompanied by his wife, Monica Calzetta, who is a professional Woman Grandmaster (WGM).

The Women’ s Championship was won by WIM Lilje Drljevic from Montenegro.

Second place went to WGM Milliet and third place to WGM Elena Sedina of Italy.

The tournament was organised by Latiri Tahar from Hammam Sousse and the Tunisian Chess Federation.