EUROPEAN AND WORLD CHESS CUPS

For the representatives of Azerbaijan, the World Cup held in Tbilisi consisted of two stages only. After a defeat in the 1/32 finals of this prestigious competition, Teymur Rajabov and Shahriyar Mammadyarov surprised everyone.

In fact, the World Chess Cup is always rich in surprises. Forced to compete in compliance with the FIDE rules, some ambitious grandmasters cease the fight losing at early stages. Competing with 128 chess players from different continents up until the end of the tournament is very difficult. A tight schedule requires chess players not only high physical fitness, but also a decent game. Hence, there were many surprises at the World Chess Cup in Tbilisi. In the early stages, ex-world champions Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, and the strongest chess player of the planet Magnus Carlsen, dropped out of the tournament.

As for Azerbaijani players, Shahriyar Mamedyarov defeated the Chinese player Li Guangju right in the opening. After winning the first game and drawing the second one with a total score 1.5:0.5, Mammadyarov advanced to the next round to play with the Ukrainian Yuri Kuzubov. Surpassing the opponent by experience and rating, Mammadyarov finished both games with a draw. In this case, the winner had to be identified in the tie-break. After losing at a decisive moment, Shahriyar said goodbye to the World Cup.

There are many reasons for Mammadyarov’s early defeat. It is normal that he was tired throughout the current season given his very tight schedule. Shahriyar demonstrated high performance at the Vugar Gashimov Memorial in Shamkir, and at two stages of the FIDE Grand Prix. Being the winner of these tournaments, he is considered the main contender for the chess crown. Therefore, his defeat at the World Cup did not interrupt Shahriyar’s future plans. In October, Shahriyar will take part in the European club championship, and then will represent Azerbaijan as part of our national team at the European Championship.

Initially, Teymur Rajabov knocked out the representative of the Faroe Islands, Helgi Ziska (1.5:0.5). Then, he played both games with the Russian Vladislav Artemyev. Again, the fate of the duel was decided in the tie-break. After one mistake, Teymur lost and also dropped out the fight for the World Cup.

Many expected a higher result from Rajabov, because after winning the last FIDE Grand Prix he was in good shape. Too tight schedule of the World Cup forced Rajabov to reserve his strength for regular competitions. Now, having a high rating in the Grand Prix, the chess player can confirm his participation in the tournament of the contenders, taking the first or second place in the last stage, which will be held in November in Spain.

That's how Rajabov himself explains his early dropout from the World Cup: "Losing always has a negative impact. However, I must admit that the opponent is worth of his victory. In the tiebreak, you need to play fast. A single error can cost you the outcome of the game. After losing in the tiebreak, I dropped out of the World Cup."

Thus, before the end of 2017, Azerbaijani chess players will play at the European club championship, the European championship among national teams and the last stage of the FIDE Grand Prix. Shahriyar Mammadyarov will play for the Russian team "Siberia" at the Club European Cup. Teymur Rajabov will not participate at the competition in Turkey, as he will prepare for the Grand Prix. Traditionally, Azerbaijan will be represented in the competitions for men and women. It's just that in the men's tournament the SOCAR-Azerbaijan team will no longer be ambitious, as in recent years. We hope that the club consisting of Azerbaijani chess players will fight for high places.

The main competition of November 2017 is the European Championship. Men's team of Azerbaijan, twice the champion of the continent, is among the favorites again. Now, the question is who will be the leader of our team in this competition. The International Chess Federation announced that the venue for the 2018 World Cup will be Germany. The competition, which was also claimed by Baku, will be organized in March 2018 in Berlin. According to the rules, eight strongest chess players of the world will take part in the tournament. The winner will compete for the chess crown with the Norwegian Magnus Carlsen. For now, Shahriyar Mammadyarov and Teymur Rajabov seem to be real candidates for this competition. Mammadyarov is close to formalizing his participation. As to Rajabov, he needs to demonstrate a high result at the last stage of the Grand Prix.