Chess glory for Azerbaijan: Gulnar Mammadova qualifies for World Cup after European triumph

Azerbaijani chess player Gulnar Mammadova clinched her place in the prestigious World Chess Cup, capping off a stellar performance at the European Individual Chess Championship in Rhodes, Greece.

Mammadova entered the final round with one goal in mind — victory. She rose to the challenge, securing a crucial win that propelled her to the World Cup, Caliber.Az reports via domestic media.

In a thrilling matchup, Mammadova, playing with the white pieces, triumphed over Georgia’s Anastasia Kirtadze, bringing her total score to 7.5 points and landing her in the 10th spot on the leaderboard. This remarkable finish earned her one of the coveted World Cup spots, as only the top ten finishers from the European Championship qualify.

While Mammadova celebrated her success, her Azerbaijani teammates also showcased strong performances. Ulviyya Fataliyeva, with 7 points, secured 24th place, while both Govhar Beydullayeva and Turkan Mammadyarova, who each scored 6.5 points, finished 28th and 40th, respectively.

The tournament's grand winner was Serbia’s Theodora Injak, who dominated the field with 9.5 points, securing an early victory and the European Championship title.

By Tamilla Hasanova