THE BLACK QUEEN

On April 19-24, Rhodes, Greece hosted the 24th Individual European Women's Chess Championship. A momentous achievement occurred as Azerbaijani grandmaster Ulviyya Fataliyeva secured the top spot with an impressive 8.5 points out of 10 rounds. Her victory etched her name in history as the first domestic chess player to claim the European champion title.

A congratulatory message from Azerbaijan's First Vice President, Mehriban Aliyeva, appeared on Ulviyya's social media account, wishing her continued success in upcoming competitions.

First Match

Fataliyeva, born in Ganja in 1996, embarked on her chess journey at the tender age of seven. Under the guidance of her coach, Shaig Guliyev, she honed her skills at the Ganja chess school. Interestingly, despite White's advantage of the first move, Ulviyya consistently favours black pieces.

Her first official international match took place at the European Championship in Cappadocia, Turkey, where she faced opponents three years her senior. Inspired by the legendary grandmaster Robert Fischer, Ulviyya embraces an aggressive playing style, often sacrificing pawns to launch attacks.

Ulviyya's championship victory coincided with her father's 65th birthday, Professor Hasil Fataliev. A fitting gift indeed. Additionally, her success owes much to the rigorous training regimen she maintained. Credit goes to her experienced coach, Yevgeny Tomashevsky, who joined her in Baku at the invitation of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation. Tomashevsky not only bolstered her psychological confidence but also contributed to her opening innovations, leading to an increase in her chess rating.

Ambitious, Dreaming of Championship

Ulviyya shared her joy with Region Plus readers, acknowledging that victory is transient. She anticipates new challenges ahead but remains proud of her historic achievement as the first Azerbaijani chess player to clinch the European title. Grateful for the support during the intense European Championship, she expressed her appreciation for the coaches, particularly Yevgeny Tomashevsky, and Mahir Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation.

Recalling the pandemic year of 2020, Ulviyya emphasized her determination and dreams. Her ambition paid off in Greece, where she realized her championship dream. Looking ahead, she believes her victory will inspire young chess enthusiasts, and she eagerly anticipates the World Chess Olympiad in September, where Azerbaijan's women's team will undoubtedly perform with honour.

Historic Triumph

Mahir Mammadov, President of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) and Vice-President of FIDE, hailed Ulviyya Fataliyeva's victory as a historic moment for Azerbaijani chess. Her remarkable performance at the European Championship in Greece was a logical culmination of the country's chess prowess. Notably, two years prior, Ulviyya secured a bronze medal in the same competition, while Gunay Mammadzade finished second.

Last year, despite unfortunate circumstances, the women's national team narrowly missed the European championship title, settling for second place in the team event. However, their unwavering commitment to improvement remains evident. The players diligently heed the advice of coaches recruited by the federation, refusing to rest on past laurels. Ulviyya, in particular, has been diligently preparing with her personal coach and sought guidance from specialists like Mikhail Shereshevsky and Yevgeny Tomashevsky. Recently, she expressed interest in collaborating with Vladimir Chuchelov, a testament to her dedication.

The European Championship yielded other successes as well. Sabina Ibrahimova earned her first grandmaster point, while Khanim Balajayeva narrowly missed a top-five finish in the 10th round. These achievements underscore the bright future ahead for Azerbaijani chess players.

Looking forward, the World Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 10-23 in Hungary, will see Azerbaijan represented by both men's and women's teams. With participation from over 180 countries, this prestigious event promises fierce competition and further opportunities for success.