R.I.P Vesna Rožič

The chess world has been shocked by the very sad news yesterday about the passing away of the double chess Slovenian women champion Vesna Rozic, 26 years old.

I pay my condolences to her family and loved ones sincerely.

The following article has been published by Chessbase today:

Slovenian WIM Vesna Rozic dies at 26

24.8.2013 - It is with deep sadness that we inform our readers that Vesna Roži has lost her battle against peritoneal cancer. We asked our readers to help Vesna, the second strongest female player in her country, to obtain funds her final treatment in a German clinic. People from all over the world contributed generously. Unfortunately in vain: Vesna passed away on Friday.

 

Vesna Rožič, March 23, 1987 – August 23, 2013

Vesna's treatment for peritoneal cancer was initiated in Slovenia, where she received two cycles of systemic chemotherapy. But that was not enough to cure the disease. Her family contacted the Medias Klinikum GmbH, Burghausen, Germany, regarding further treatment. To help defray the costs – between 15,000 and 20,000 Euros – for this final for this final attempt to save her life we appealed to our readers, who contributed generously from all over the world. Former World Champion Garry Kasparov even volunteered to play a fundraising simul on Playchess.
Unfortunately all efforts were in vain. The cancer was too advanced and this brave and wonderful girl passed on Friday, August 23, at the age of 26 years and five months. She will not be forgotten.

Vesna Rožič, born March 23, 1987 in Ljubljana, was a Slovenian WIM who won the Slovenian Individual Championship for women in 2007 and 2010. She played for the Slovenian national team from 2001 to 2004 in four European U18 championships, and for the Slovenian women's national team in six Mitropa Cups (2005, 2006 , 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012), winning it for Slovenia in 2005 and 2006 and taking second place in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012. In 2006 she won the individual gold medal for her 6.0/9 on board one. In addition Vesna played for Slovenia in four European Championships (2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 ) and four Chess Olympiads (2002 , 2008 , 2010 and 2012).

Since April 2006 Vesna had the title Women's International Master. Her rating of 2260 put her in second place after Anna Musytschuk in the Slovenian women's list. Her highest rating was 2308 in July 2008.