Shakhriyar Mamedyarov: “Shusha air will help me”

The strongest grandmaster of Azerbaijan Shakhriyar Mammadyarov before the start of the international chess tournament Shusha Chess 2022 shared his expectations from the competition.

“For the first time in Shusha, an international chess tournament is held, – Mamedyarov says.” Of course, this is very pleasant. Famous chess players have arrived, and we are waiting for a very difficult competition. We will try to win the first Shusha Chess.

I spent five tournaments in the USA, so I have a certain fatigue. But I believe that Shusha air will help me.

Is the format of the game in rapid and blitz convenient for me? Yes, we are used to this format. It is convenient for our chess players, we are strong in it. “

Shahriyar Mammadyarov also touched the topic of the recent scandal at the tournament in St. Louis, when the world champion Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the competition after white figures from 19-year-old American Hans Mock Nimann. The Norwegian did not officially declared this, but made it clear that his opponent defeated him, resorting to dishonest tricks. Interestingly, before that, Mamedyarov lost Nimannu.

“Carlsen did not make official clarifications to his act, so it would be wrong for me to say something on this topic. Nimann achieved great success in a short time, and many have doubts about how he achieved them,” – noted Shakhriyar.