"THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING"

The European Chess Team Championship, which was organized in the Serbian town of Novy Sad, has gone down in the history of Azerbaijani sport in letters of gold.  The Azerbaijani national team, which was rated second at the outset, won the continental championship for the first time in its history.  It is hard to express the pride you feel when the best chess players from 38 countries give a standing ovation to the anthem of your country.  And credit for this goes to all members of the Azerbaijani team.

At the same time, grand master Vuqar Qasimov must be given his due, because he had the final say by defeating Dutchman Daniel Stellwagen in a five-hour game.  Following his victory, Vuqar climbed to 6th place in the FIDE ratings and secured the title of leader of the Azerbaijani national chess team.

It has to be said that, until recently, Vuqar Qasimov's chess career had been in the balance.  He fell seriously ill in 2000 and had to abandon his favourite discipline for six years.  But, thanks to assistance from Azerbaijani President and National Olympic Committee Chairman Ilham Aliyev, he successfully underwent surgery in Germany and was able to resume his career.  Few people believed that he would be back on his feet in such a short period, but Vuqar was not only able to regain his form and return to the national team, but he also achieved what had seemed practically impossible.  You had to see his eyes when his opponent conceded the game in the decisive match, and the applause of the audience was accompanied by shouts of "Bravo, Azerbaijan!"  Having witnessed these moments ourselves, we could not miss the opportunity to talk to the hero of the championship and ask him to share his impressions.

- The victory in the European championship was one of the greatest achievements in the history of Azerbaijani chess.  What are the impressions of a direct participant in the event?

- This victory was very important to us.  We had to demonstrate that Azerbaijan could become team champions.  The race was close to the very end, and we tried to play as well as possible.  I think that our team deserved this victory.

- In the last round, the situation was tense.  The main rival, the Russian team, finished its games with Spain in a draw.  And in our team, there were draws in the games involving Teymur Racabov, Sahriyar Mammadyarov and Rauf Mammadov.  So you were the last hope...

- Tension began to increase when Russian Yevgeniy Alekseyev lost the fourth game.  Although Morozevich had won before that, Alekseyev's defeat dashed the Russian team's hopes of victory.  Now it was up to us.  During the game, I realized that victory depended on the outcome of the game with Stellwagen.  Had there been no tension, I could have won faster than I did.  I was agitated and even a little nervous.  I was trying to be very responsible in every move, in a game which lasted more than five hours.  No one is proof against a mistake at a critical moment.  Everyone is tired by the final round, which is why I analyzed every move carefully.  By the end of the game I thought that we would reach a draw.  But Stellwagen made a mistake - 70...Rf4.

- Perhaps you, too, noticed joy on the faces of your teammates, and especially Teymur Racabov?

- I was totally absorbed by the game.  And therefore I did not look around.  But after the victory I saw how glad the team and the heads of our federation were.  For I second, I felt like l do when I score in football.

- You also won a silver medal for your personal performance on the second board.  It seems that the European Championship was very successful for Vuqar Qasimov?

- I cannot complain.  Racabov, Mammadyarov and I refused to take a break during the tournament and took part in all the games.  The tension grew with every round.  We knew very well that we could become champions, so the responsibility was great.

- And what has changed in the team with the arrival of the new captain Zurab Azmaiparashvili?

- I must thank Zurab Azmaiparashvili.  His role in the victory is unquestionable.  He supported us throughout the tournament, despite the outcome of any particular game and prepared us for victory in the next.  It is good when the captain understands the players - there are far fewer problems in that case.  The captain and the players are all responsible for the results.  I think that we managed to perform as a united team.  After all, it was the first time Teymur, Sahriyar, Rauf and Qadir had played as a team.

- Now Vuqar is introduced as European champion...

- I am proud of my Motherland, Azerbaijan.  We have demonstrated that we can play and win as a united team.  But this is just the beginning.  In January 2010, we will go to the world championship, and in late 2010 - to the Olympics.

- And in conclusion, a traditional question.  To whom do you dedicate your victory?

The victory was the result of the special attention given by President Ilham Aliyev to the development of sports and, in particular, to chess, in Azerbaijan.  Our team's victory is dedicated to everyone who supported us.  Naturally, I must mention my parents.  My father has had a great role in my success.