First international chess tournament kicks off in Shusha

The first international chess tournament has opened in Shusha with the joint organisation of the Youth and Sports Ministry, Azerbaijan's Chess Federation and the Administration of the State Reserve of Shusha city.

Azerbaijani Youth and Sports Minister Farid Gaibov, National Olympic Committee Secretary-General Azar Aliyev, Azerbaijani Chess Federation President and International Chess Federation Vice-President Mahir Mammadov, other officials and chess players took part in the event, a Report correspondent informs from Shusha.

The ceremony began with the performance of the national anthem. Then the memory of the martyrs was honoured with a minute of silence.

Opening the event, Azar Aliyev welcomed the guests and expressed hope that the tournament would be included in the FIDE calendar and become traditional.

Mahir Mammadov expressed satisfaction that Shusha is hosting world-famous chess players.

The international chess tournament dedicated to the 190th anniversary of Azerbaijan's outstanding poet and philanthropist Khurshidbanu Natavan will be held among men and women.

Among the men at the tournament are members of the national team - three-time European champions Shahriyar Mammadyarov, Teymur Rajabov, Gadir Huseynov, Rauf Mammadov and European champion among chess players under 18 Vasif Durarbayli, as well as Asian champion Hao Wang (China), world champion among chess players under 20 Santosh Gujrati Sees (India), winner of the championship World Youth Champion Parham Magsudlu (Iran), FIDE World champion Rustam Gasimdzhanov (Uzbekistan) and Turkish champion Mustafa Yilmaz.

Among women, the winners of the European Championship Gunay Mammadzade, Ulvia Fataliyeva, Gulnar Mammadova, Khanum Balajayeva, Govhar Beydullayeva take part in the tournament. The winner of the World Chess Olympiad, European champion Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia), world and European champion among teenagers, the highest-ranked chess player of her country Marcel Efroimski (Israel), world champion among chess players under 18 Iolanta Zavadska (Poland), Turkish champion Kubra Ozturk Guvenli will also take part in the competition.

The international chess tournament Shusha Chess 2022 will be held from September 21 to 24.