Vahap Şanal dominated the 36th NATO Chess Championship in Latvia, posting a perfect 7/7 score to win decisively. The Turkish grandmaster and top seed lived up to his billing as the only GM in a 148-player field, showcasing the kind of clean performance that defines championship play.
IM Laura Unuk of Slovenia claimed second place with 6/7, earning best woman honors. She benefited from the Swiss system pairings that kept her away from Şanal throughout the seven-round event at the Baltic Beach Hotel in Jūrmala.
The tournament drew military chess players from all 18 NATO members, making it the 36th edition of this specialized competition. FM Robert Stein of Germany took bronze after a tie at 5.5/7, using the Buchholz tiebreak to edge out five other competitors locked on the same score.
Şanal's flawless victory underscores the gap between the elite and the field at military championships. These events draw serious players within the armed forces community, but rarely produce the kind of upset drama seen in open tournaments. The Turkish grandmaster simply outclassed the field with consistent, patient chess across all seven rounds.