Hrvoje Stević wins Požega international rapid chess tournament

Croatian Grandmaster Hrvoje Stević won the 4th edition of the “Požega, City of Chess” international rapid chess tournament. The event, held at the Tomislav Pirc Sports Hall, featured approximately 80 players from six different countries, including 10 Grandmasters.

Stević secured first place with 7.5 points, finishing half a point ahead of fellow Croatian Grandmasters Mladen Palac, Leon Livaić, and Zdenko Kožul, who all finished with 7 points. The tournament followed a nine-round Swiss system with a rapid time control of 10 minutes per player plus a 5-second increment per move. Results from the competition are eligible for the FIDE Rapid rating list.

The tournament was organized by the Požega Chess Club and supported by the City of Požega. Opening ceremonies included remarks from Borna Vlašić, president of the Požega Chess Club, and Branimir Jukić, president of the Croatian Chess Federation. Mayor Borislav Miličević officially opened the event by making the first move.