"The results of the national championship have always been considered a priority for us."
As Idman.biz reports, Faig Hasanov, the first vice-president of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation (ACF), said this in his statement to journalists.
He shared his views on the formation of the Azerbaijani national teams that will participate in the World Chess Olympiad in Hungary in September.
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Rauf Mammadov, Nijat Abasov, Aydin Suleymanli, and Muhammad Muradli have been invited to the national team of male chess players this year. Gunay Mammadzada, Govhar Beydullayeva, Khanim Balajayeva, Ulviyya Fataliyeva, and Gulnar Mammadova will compete for medals in the national team of female chess players. During the formation of the national team, one reserve chess player was selected for each team. Vasif Durarbeyli and Ayan Allahverdiyeva were added to the list as reserve participants in the teams consisting of male and female chess players, respectively.
- Sir, there are questions regarding the men’s team. In general, what factors are being considered important for the staff?
- The team is determined by the Azerbaijan Chess Federation. During the year, the country's leading chess players are selected based on their participation in prestigious tournaments, including the Azerbaijan Championship. At this time, the results of the chess player and other factors are also taken into account.
We are not satisfied with the results of the national team of male chess players in recent years. After analyzing the results, it was decided to change the staff. It is known to everyone that the ACF regularly tries to support young and promising chess players. The Federation is constantly communicating with the coaches working with the national team. Each chess player's matches are analyzed and taken into account when making a decision.
- Aydın Suleymanli and Mahammad Muradli will participate in the Olympics for the first time. What do you think about it?
- In 2022, Uzbekistan's men's chess team won the Olympic gold medal. They have had great success with the youngsters, despite the absence of some highly rated chess players in the squad. We never promise a chess player in advance that "you will play in the national team". Participation in the Azerbaijan Championship, as well as in the competitions organized in the country, and the results obtained in international tournaments are important for the federation.
I should also mention that in recent years, ACF has created the best conditions for young talented chess players. Their participation in the tournaments they want is guaranteed, and they are helped to work with high-level coaches. The well-known grandmaster Boris Gelfand, the finalist of last year’s world championship, was invited to Baku to lead the training camp for young talents. At the same time, he regularly trains with world-class expert chess players such as Vladimir Chuchelov. As a result of this, a new talented young generation is growing in Azerbaijan, and we must attract them to the national team.
The current team was changed by the decision of the ACF and the first steps were taken in the direction of rejuvenation. The goal is to form a fighting team of experienced and young chess players in the national team. World Cup winner, and three-time European champion Teimour Radjabov was left out of the team. At the Olympics, Teymur will help the Azerbaijan team as a captain. We also decided to check young chess players. It is impossible not to appreciate the confident game shown by Aydın Suleymanli and Mohammad Muradli. Aydın is the winner of the 2024 Azerbaijan Championship. Muhammad Muradli took the second place in the national championship. At the same time, Muhammad was awarded first place in the strong international open competition organized in the UAE.
The results of the national championship have always been considered a priority for us. 18 years ago - in 2006, on the eve of the Turin Olympics, the team was changed. At that time, 14-year-old Vasif Durarbeyli, who took second place in the Azerbaijan championship and had a FIDE rating of about 2300, was invited to the team. Very experienced grandmasters were not included in the team. Now we want to give a chance to Mohammad Muradli, who took second place in the Azerbaijan championship. By the way, in the final of the Azerbaijan championship organized in Nakhchivan in 2022, Mohammad Muradli won first place after winning over Vasif Durarbeyli. Everyone knows that the doors of the Azerbaijan national team are open to all chess players. FIDE rating is important, but not decisive. The rating should not be taken as a basis. Young talents should be given a place in the national team. The main goal is to get a good result in the Olympics.
In 2000, we invited the national champion directly to the national team. That year, the Azerbaijani champion Shakhriyar Mamedyarov was involved in the team. On the eve of the Olympics, Zeynab Mamedyarova won a gold medal at the 18-year-old world championship in Spain, and we were forced to make changes in the team. At the last minute, Zeynab Mamedyarova was invited to the team and participated in the Olympics. The Olympics is one of the most prestigious chess competitions. Chess players gain the opportunity to succeed by demonstrating teamwork. We are working to form a fighting and determined squad for the national team.
- Vasif Durarbeyli, who was recruited to the national team as a reserve chess player, says that he is dissatisfied with the team. He said that he wants to play in the national team.
- Like all chess players, Vasif Durarbeyli always felt the care of the state. The ACF regularly provided necessary assistance to him. Even Mahir Mammadov, as a businessman before being elected the president of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation, did not spare Vasif a large amount of financial and moral support year after year. You just need to keep in mind that the team of the national team can change every year. In the following years, young chess players will be allowed to play in the national team. You have probably heard about Khagan Ahmed. He is a very talented teenager. He also had an internship at the Chess Academy established by the International Chess Federation. If Khagan Ahmed continues like this, we will hold discussions about him, just as we invited Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Teimour Radjabov, Vasif Durarbeyli, and others to the national team years ago. Youth and young chess players are kept in mind, regardless of their ranking. The game shown by the chess player is important. Personal principles should not be neglected when determining the composition of the Azerbaijan national team. Personal opinions should be put aside and an objective approach should be taken to pave the way for youth to the national team.
Idman.biz
