GM Nikita Petrov is the new champion of Montenegro. The native of Novorossiysk (Russia), who recently changed federation, won his first national title in a tough contest with 10-time Montenegro champion Nikola Djukic.

The Montenegro Championship 2024, an 11-round Swiss tournament with classical time control, took place from February 6-15, 2024, in the country’s capital Podgorica. The event brought together 52 best local players.

It was an extremely close race from start to finish, with top-seed participants either taking turns on the top or sharing the lead almost all the way. In the end, Petrov and Nikola Djukic pulled away and came to the final round a full point ahead of Luka Draskovic and Denis Kadric.

Facing Bozidar Ivanovic with the white pieces, Djukic grabbed the initiative early on, then made a serious mistake but eventually converted his slight advantage deep into the endgame to take the top position for a moment. Meanwhile, playing against Milan Drasko with Black, Petrov gradually outplayed his opponent but did not protect his last pawn in an endgame and let his advantage slip away completely.

Still, Nikita had some practical chances with a rook and two minor pieces (no pawns) against Milan’s rook, knight and pawn, which materialized in time trouble after White’s king walked into a mating net. As a result, both leaders pulled off victories and finished on 9/11, but Nikita Petrov clinched the title thanks to a slightly better Buchholz.

As many as three players tied for third place, netting 7.5/11, with Denis Cadric claiming bronze by a superior tiebreaker.  

Final standings:

Photos: Šahovski savez Crne Gore Facebook