The first champion

Azerbaijani grandmaster Shakhriyar Mammad-yarov has won the world rapid chess championship held in Khanty-Mansiysk in Russia.

Having collected 11.5 points in 15 rounds of the competition held according to the Swiss system, Mammadyarov became the winner among 58 chess players from 20 countries of the world. Immediately after the championship, MAMMADYAROV travelled to Moscow to participate in the tournament held in honour of the late Latvian chess player Mikhail Tal. Therefore, R+ had to interview him over the phone to which he kindly agreed.

- Congratulations on your victory! Did you expect such success at this tournament?

- Before the tournament I believed I would win. However, in the final round I had almost no hopes. I had a difficult match with Ian Nepomniachtchiy and I had slim chances of victory. However, I eventually won. I am happy that my victory in Khanty-Mansiysk delighted chess fans. After the tournament I received a lot of congratulations through social networking sites and by telephone. As we are constantly engaged in trainings and matches we sometimes forget about the people who are waiting for our victories.  People in Azerbaijan love chess very much and follow all tournaments. After receiving so many congratulations I can say with certainty that support from each of my fans will be a great encouragement for me in the future. My victory certainly means success for entire Azerbaijani sports and our chess school, in particular. Victory in the world rapid chess championship will help me better prepare for other tournaments. Most importantly, an Azerbaijani representative won in this competition. My victory was conditioned by support from each of my fans and my team. I would like to thank the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Azerbaijani Chess Federation and my manager, Rauf Nacafov.

- Last year you came 3-4th in the same competition. This year you won. I think you are the strongest among rapid chess players…

- I have always played rapid chess well. I think I am good at blitz-tournaments. I will try to distinguish myself in classic chess as well.

- Teymur Racabov said through one of the social networking sites that strong chess players did not participate in the Khanty-Mansiysk tournament. What do you think about this?

- The chess season is very busy time for players. Strong chess players did not participate in this tournament last year either. This however did not diminish interest to it. In any event, those who wanted to become champions arrived in Khanty-Mansiysk. Organizers created favourable conditions for all of them. If somebody decided not to come, this is their private business.

- Azerbaijani chess players are better playing rapid chess than classic one. Why?

- When we meet in Baku we always play rapid chess. As we gather in the evenings, we always take chessboards with us. In the past, we used to hold little Sunday tournaments in our holiday homes or at the chess club. All strong grandmasters participated in these tournaments. Perhaps this is why we are better playing rapid chess.

- If I am not mistaken, this is the first gold medal earned in an adult tournament…

- The Azerbaijani chess school has had a lot of achievements. In individual tournaments this is the first gold. Certainly, there have been gold medals in world and European championships among teenagers and youth. I became a world champion when I was younger. However, this is the first gold in an adult championship.

- It means you have fulfilled your dream, didn't you?

- This will not set limit to my dreams. There are many difficult and important tournaments ahead. I would like to win them too.

- In interviews with Russian media you said that you had tricked traffic police officers. Is that true?

- (smiles) When police stops me as I drive fast I tell them that I am a world champion. But I do not tell them that I became champion in my young years. Now I will tell police that I am a rapid chess champion. Traffic police officers always support sportsmen and I would like to thank them for this.

- Are you going to participate in next year's championship as well?

- Next year the tournament will be held in Dubai. I would like to take part and defend my title. On the whole, I highly appreciate all tournaments organized by FIDE because the chess community needs them.

- Did you celebrate your victory in Moscow? A success like this requires particular celebration, doesn't it?

- Before the final round I did not sleep at night. I watched football with friends. Now all my thoughts are concentrated on the forthcoming Mikhail Tal championship where I am going to take part. I will probably travel to Baku by the end of July. Due to permanent work I have little time to rest. I don't think I am going to celebrate my victory.

- Would you be able to repeat your success in classic chess?

- All Azerbaijani chess players want to become classic chess champions. However, the regulations there are different. It is necessary to first win in a competitors' tournament and then go to the champions' match. Three years ago I participated in a competitors' tournament and saw that it is a very tough competition. However, it is our aim to return the chess crown to Baku. For this, all our chess players, including me, are doing our best.

- At the end of the year will be held important competitions among clubs and national teams. 

- As part of the Socar Club, we will participate in the European cup. Last year, we won the tournament in Israel and this time we need to preserve the title. In addition, as part of the national team we will take part in the European championship. This is also a very important competition. As you can see, I have no time to rest. However, believe me, when you succeed, tiredness disappears and you find strength to do more.