GM Bojan Maksimović emerged victorious at the 20th Serbian Individual Chess Championship, claiming his maiden national title after finishing on 6.5/9 and securing first place with a round to spare.
The 10-player round-robin event was held in Senta from 13-21 June, and Maksimović’s fast start proved decisive as he took control of the standings early and never let go.
Fast start sets up a title run in Senta
The 2026 edition of the Serbian Individual Chess Championship was played as a 10-player round-robin, meaning each participant faced every other player once across nine rounds. Hosted in Senta from 13-21 June, the tournament concluded with Maksimović on top after a consistent run that began with three straight wins.
Maksimović “made a flying start, winning three consecutive games to seize the lead – a position he never relinquished,” according to the event report. That early momentum allowed him to manage the rest of the schedule from the front, and he ultimately clinched the championship before the final round was even played.
With 6.5 points from 9 games, Maksimović locked up the title with one round remaining, a significant achievement in a compact field where a single result can quickly swing the standings. The report noted that the tournament was “long and demanding,” underlining the challenge of maintaining form across nine rounds against a small, high-quality group.
Speaking after his victory, Maksimović described both his expectations and how the event unfolded. “Before the start of the championship, I was hoping for one of the top three places, although I wasn’t sure about my form. However, it turned out that I was in good shape. Although the tournament was long and demanding, with many difficult games, I capitalized on my opponents’ mistakes, and in the end everything worked out as it should,” Maksimović said.
The championship also marked a milestone for the open section. For the first time in the history of the open event, the 2026 edition featured a female participant: national team player Sofia Pogorelskikh.
Behind the champion, an IM finished half a point back to claim the silver medal. A GM took bronze with 5.5/9, rounding out the top three in the final standings.
Top three earn next championship places as medals awarded
Beyond the medals, the top three finishers secured an additional reward: the right to participate in the next Individual Championship of Serbia. With Maksimović taking gold, the IM earning silver, and the GM collecting bronze, all three left Senta with both podium finishes and qualification for the next edition.
Trophies and medals were presented to the winners by a Vice President of the Chess Federation of Serbia, completing the official closing of the 20th Serbian Individual Chess Championship.
