TWICE IN ITALY

The World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship held in Sardinia, Italy among U20 boys and girls ended with a brilliant victory of Azerbaijani representatives, who became the winners of the tournament and took the first place.

Two athletes - three awards

Azerbaijani chess player Govhar Beydullayeva made a historic success in the rapid competition. She became the strongest player with 9 points in 11 games. This was her second success after she became a world champion in classical chess among 20-year-olds last year. The other Azerbaijani chess player Muhammad Muradly finished the rapid tournament in 13th place with 6.5 points.

The World Blitz Championship also pleased Azerbaijani fans. This time Muhammad Muradly scored the most points. Ahead of his rivals and scoring 9.5 points in 11 games, Muhammad won the title of the world champion. In the women's competition, Govhar was only 1 point behind the leader. In the end, the World Blitz Championship brought her a bronze medal.

Thus, two Azerbaijani chess players won a total of three awards at this prestigious competition. In honour of the winners—Govhar Beydullayeva and Muhammad Muradli—the National Anthem of Azerbaijan was played twice at the championship.

Govhar's high performance in recent years shows that she can soon move up the rankings. After two consecutive wins at the Azerbaijan championship, Beydullayeva is becoming one of the key members of the national team. As for Muhammad, his mistakes in Rapid left him without a reward. But in blitz, he was able to prove that he was stronger than other chess players.

Targeting future success

Muhammad Muradly said that his victory in Italy would have a special place in his career: "Our success is a result of President Ilham Aliyev's continuous support to our athletes. We dedicate our victory to the head of our state. This achievement has a special significance in my chess career and inspires me for future successes".

The main goal at the world championship, Muradly said, was to perform well in both rapid and blitz: "Unfortunately, I didn't manage to do it in Rapid. Nevertheless, I could start my fight in blitz and could do what I had originally planned. I therefore could leave my rivals behind and become a world champion". After eight years since his first victory, Muradly says that he will continue to compete for successful results in the future.

In her interview with R+, Govhar Beydullayeva thanked everyone who supported her during the competition: "Like last year, we managed to win gold medals among girls and boys. I am happy that our national anthem was played twice in Italy. Many thanks to everyone who was worried about me. Each of the competitions was difficult. As a result of proper preparation, the representatives of Azerbaijan achieved success in two championships at once".

The young chess player said that a more difficult tournament awaits her: "I will take part in the Grand Swiss in Britain. The tournament is attended by the world's strongest women grandmasters. I will do my best to show a high result in this tournament as well".

First Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation Faig Hasanov called the recent achievements of Govhar Beydullayeva and Muhammad Muradly a great success: "The world championship is a great success for Azerbaijan. This is the most prestigious contribution to the 20th anniversary of Ilham Aliyev's tenure as the President of Azerbaijan".

Hasanov believes the year of 2023 was a successful season for the national chess: "This year, our chess players returned from the European Junior Championship with four gold medals. Our schoolchildren also won six medals at this tournament. But I would like to emphasise the victory of our players who became the world champions. We will try to earn more medals before the end of the year".

Battle of Budva

The last major test this year will be the European Team Championship in Budva (Montenegro) on November 10-21. The composition of Azerbaijani national teams that will join this prestigious competition is already known: Shahriyar Mammadyarov, Teymur Rajabov, Nijat Abasov, Rauf Mammadov, Vasif Durarbeyli, and Gadir Huseynov (captain) from the men's team, Gunay Mammadzade, Ulviyya Fataliyeva, Govhar Beydullayeva, Khanym Balajayeva, and Gulnar Mammadova from the women's team. The captains are Mikhail Shereshevsky and Yevgeny Tomashevsky.