UMID WILL WIN

Azerbaijan is a country with a strong chess school. Chess has its own ancient traditions and special place in the culture of our country. Achievements of recent years, victories at European and world championships, international tournaments further increase interest in chess in Azerbaijan. Today, Azerbaijan has 25 international grandmasters, 16 international masters, 20 FIDE masters, 16 FIDE referees and 15 international referees. More than 40,000 children and juniors study at about 70 chess schools for the children and youth.

One of the distinguished juniors is Umid Aslanov. Recently, Umid has scored high results at international chess tournaments in the Serbian cities of Paraćin and Senta. The young chess player added 57 points to his rating in Paraćin and 80 FIDE coefficients in Senta, having eventually raised from 2,019 to 2,155.

Umid Aslanov's style of play also attracts attention. In two rounds of tournaments in Serbia, he met with an international master and set a draw in both of these games. Now the 15-year-old chess player does not play with his peers, but takes part in international tournaments against chess players with high ratings. Since a norm for an international master and a grandmaster is 2,400 and 2,500 FIDE coefficients, respectively, we can say that Umid will join the ranks of Azerbaijan’s grandmasters in the future.

Tactics similar to that of his role-model

In an interview with R+, Umid spoke about his main goals: “For me, chess is not just a game or a struggle of minds; it’s a way of life. I am working hard on myself to increase my FIDE rating. My goal is to become an international master, and then a grandmaster. Most importantly, I have to strengthen my game. If you want to become a world-class chess player, you have to work more on opening and tactics."

Umid's role-model is the three-time European champion, two-time world champion among juniors, and now one of the leading chess players in the world, Shahriyar Mammadyarov. In the future, Umid, like Shakhriyar, dreams of playing for the national team of Azerbaijan: “Shahriyar is my favourite chess player. I want to become as strong a chess player as him. My coaches say that we are somewhat similar in terms of play. Like him, I also like to take risks. I attach great importance to tactics. I had a chance to meet with Shahriyar several times during the sessions. Of course, he won. I really want us to be able to compete in classical chess in the future. Of course, after I become a stronger chess player."

Expectations from Umid

Along with chess, Umid is intensively learning English. His father Fuad Aslanov says that to be successful in chess, English is necessary: “Among Umid's immediate plans is to participate in an international tournament in Bulgaria on September 12th. We believe in his successful performance, as he trains all day long."

The participation of junior chess players in competitions abroad, as well as in training camps, requires funding. “I would like to thank the head of the Executive Power of the Absheron Degion of Baku, Irada Gulmammadova, who supported Umid. Halal Nemət Min Bərəkət Co. has always supported us too. I am sure that with their support we will achieve new successes,” Fuad Aslanov said.

The World Chess Olympiad among chess players under 16 will be held in Nakhchivan in October 2021. Umid Aslanov has a chance to be in the national team of Azerbaijan.