Photo courtesy Monroi.com

by Jennifer Shahade

Pia Cramling of Sweden won the Monroi International Women's Grand Prix (Montreal, Canada July 19-29) with a last round win over Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant of Georgia and a total of 5/7. IM Irina Krush had a disappointing result, finishing with minus one, and in joint sixth with Cristina Foisor.

Monroi International Women's Grand-Prix Finale
Final Standings

1. GM Pia Cramling (2533) of Sweden- 5
2-3. WGM Lela Javakhishvili (2460) of Georgia and WGM Jovanka Houska (2401) of England-4.5
4-5. WGM Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant (2418) of Georgia and WGM Iweta Rajlich (2406) of Poland- 4
6-7. WGM Irina Krush (2479)-of USA and WGM Cristina Adela Foisor (2372)-of Romania- 3
8. Myriam Roy (1975) of Canada-0

Here is the last round battle for first place between Cramling and Arakhamia-Grant:

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Irina Krush lost to Lela Javakhisvili when she miscalculated 22...Bxe4, which loses because of 24.Rxd6!

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From left to right: Pia Cramling, Myriam Roy, Joanna Houvska, Iveta Rajlich, Irina Krush and Lela Javakhishvili


Joanna Houvska and Pia Cramling enjoy the Montreal International Fireworks Competition. Photos courtesy monroi.com.

Look for an exciting, in-depth interview this week by Betsy Dynako, with our new U.S. Women's Champion, Irina Krush.