Anastasiia Hnatyshyn, a 15-year-old Ukrainian WFM seeded 76th, has taken sole control of the European Women's Championship in Batumi with a perfect 5/5 score. She defeated Elmira Mirzoeva in round five to extend a stunning run of four consecutive upset victories in a 165-player field.
Hnatyshyn's position at the top is hardly secure. Oliwia Kiolbasa of Poland and Gulenay Aydin of Türkiye trail by just half a point, while an eleven-player group sits on 4/5, including former Ukrainian champion Anna Ushenina and rated threats like Ulviyya Fataliyeva and Meri Arabidze.
The real story here is Hnatyshyn's tactical sharpness. From a 76th seed, she has beaten higher-rated opposition consistently. Youth often brings energy and less fear of reputations. She has both in abundance. The championship still has seven rounds to play. That's more than enough time for stronger players to catch up, and the depth of talent bunched behind her suggests the undefeated streak will face serious challenges soon.
Still, starting at 5/5 in a championship of this scale, especially as a teenager, is the stuff that builds confidence. Hnatyshyn will need every bit of it to hold first place.