The 42nd Israeli Chess Championship concluded with thrilling battles, crowning GM Yair Parkhov and IM Marsel Efroimski as the nation’s new champions. The tournament took place from January 20–28 at the Yam Suf Hotel in Eilat, featuring intense competition across both the open and women’s categories.
Parkhov Triumphs in the Open Championship
The open section saw 32 players, including 11 grandmasters, competing for a share of the 85,000 NIS prize fund in a nine-round Swiss format. The title race remained tight throughout, with multiple players vying for the top spot.
Heading into the final round, GMs Yahli Sokolovsky and Yair Parkhov shared the lead with 6/8, closely followed by Yeshaayahu Tzidkiya and Ido Gorenstein. While Sokolovsky and Gorenstein settled for a quick draw, Parkhov seized his moment. He delivered a clutch victory over Tzidkiya, finishing with 7/9 to claim the championship title.
Sokolovsky secured the silver medal, ending just half a point behind. IM Yannay Ben Ari edged out Gorenstein on tiebreaks to clinch bronze.
Final Standings – Open Championship
| 1. | GM Yair Parkhov (2508) | 7 points |
| 2. | GM Yahli Sokolovsky (2535) | 6.5 points |
| 3. | IM Yannay Ben Ari (2453) | 6 points |
| 4. | GM Ido Gorenstein (2565) | 6 points |
| 5. | IM Yeshaayahu Tzidkiya (2479) | 5.5 points |
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Efroimski Dominates Women’s Championship
IM Marsel Efroimski showcased sheer dominance in the women’s section, storming through the field to finish with 8.5/9. She conceded just one draw, finishing three points ahead of her closest competitors. Her flawless performance secured her a well-deserved championship title.
A four-way tie for second place saw IM Masha Klinova, FM Dana Kochavi, WIM Noga Orian, and WFM Ronit Levitan all finish with 5.5/9. Klinova edged out Kochavi on tiebreaks to claim silver, while Kochavi took home the bronze.
The women’s championship followed a 10-player round-robin format and featured a prize fund of 25,000 NIS.
Final Standings – Women’s Championship
| 1. | IM Marsel Efroimski (2389) | 8.5 points |
| 2. | IM Masha Klinova (2235) | 5.5 points |
| 3. | FM Dana Kochavi (2345) | 5.5 points |
| 4. | WIM Noga Orian (2155) | 5.5 points |
| 5. | WFM Ronit Levitan (2085) | 5.5 points |
A Successful Championship in Eilat
Organized by the Israel Chess Federation with support from the Lottery and the Eilat Municipality, the event delivered high-stakes battles and dramatic finishes. Originally planned for late 2024, the championship faced a brief delay but returned stronger than ever in January 2025.
With fierce competition and standout performances, the 42nd Israeli Chess Championship proved once again why chess remains a thrilling and prestigious sport in the country.
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