On the eve of Baku from Prague, winners of the European Chess Championship Gunai Mammadzade and Ulvia Fataliev returned. Recall, for the first time in the history of Azerbaijani chess, our representatives – and two at once – were able to enter the number of winners of an adult female euro. Gunai became a silver medalist, and Ulvia became bronze.
At the Baku airport of athletes, the President of the Chess Federation of Azerbaijan, Vice President FIDE MAKHIR MAMDOV, other representatives of our Federation, members of the families of chess players and journalists.
“I expected to win the medal of the European Championship, – says Gunai Mammadzade.” Fighted for gold. After the recent Olympiad in India, our other chess players could count on a successful performance. As a result, Ulvia Fatalieva took 3rd place.
I just half a point behind the winner – Poland Moniko Sochko. The party with it turned out to be difficult. I gave in to her. After that, it was necessary to quickly recover, as two consecutive fights with Armenian chess players were waiting for me. I beat Maria Gevorgyan, and this victory played an important role in the fact that I managed to win silver. “
Ahead of Gunai Mammadzade, a performance at the historical international tournament in Shush, participation in the club Cup of Europe in Austria. As for global plans, this is the conquest of a ticket to the contender tournament and participation in the match for the championship crown.
According to Makhir Mammadov, the successes of Gunai Mammadzade and our other chess players are still ahead.
“The state supports our chess players. We invite strong foreign specialists for them, and they work under a contract with the Azerbaijani chess Federation. Our chess players train with great desire. Their unprecedented success allows us to look at the future with optimism.
Our women’s team and at the Olympics in India successfully performed. In the last round, we had a chance for 1st place. After two hours of struggle on the final gaming day, we even thought that we would become champions.
As for the European Championship, the strongest played there. Success in Prague is very valuable. All our girls performed well, increased their rating. For the first time we take the medal for the euro. Could win gold. Gunai Mammadzade, Ulvia Fatalieva and Gulnar Mammadov in parties with the future champion Monik, Sochko were close to victories. But we can say that chess happiness turned away from our chess players. “