Antoaneta Stefanova started victoriously her participation in the European Chess Championship in Dresden.

During the first competition round the former world champion defeated Romanian Iulia-Ionela Ionica.

BGNES Sport agency reported that Stefanova has highest victory chances among the female competitors.

Another Bulgarian competitor, Kiril Georgiev, lost his match against German Frank Holzke.

Meanwhile the Bulgarian Chess Federation sent an open letter to World Chess Federation (FIDE) president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov protesting against the recent regulation changes that affected the performance of Bulgarian chess masters.

According to the letter, the recent changes and scheduling of competitions might prevent world chess champion Vesselin Topalov from participation.