Bulgaria’s chess players Nurgyul Salimova and Ivan Cheparinov ceded the leadership positions at the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in Samarkand, but are still among the best players.

• Great start for the Bulgarians at World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in Samarkand

After a total of 9 rounds and 4 consecutive draws on the second day of the championship Ivan Cheparinov now shares 4^th to 16^th position with 6.5 points. Bulgaria’s only male contestant achieved draws playing versus top-notch players from the top 18 of the start lineup.

Nurgyul Salimova has so far won 6 points which places her in the group of players from position 4 to position 9. Her first 4 victories on the first day were followed by 2 more wins, but also 2 losses – against Jiner Zhu and Anastasia Bodnaruk.