Shahriyar Mammadyarov becomes second at the Grand Prix in Moscow

Moscow. 22 May. REPORT.AZ/ “I will continue to fight for the title of world champion.” 

Azerbaijani grandmaster Shahriyar Mammadyarov told the Russian bureau of Report.

The Azerbaijani grandmaster scored 6 points out of 9 possible and took second place at the FIDE Grand Prix in Moscow. Until the last round, "Shah", as Mammadyarov is called in chess circles, was on the first place. But in the 9th round he was beaten by Chinese chess player Ding Liren, who earlier defeated Boris Gelfand (Israel) with black figures. Despite this, the Azerbaijani grandmaster with his game has earned positive reviews of chess analysts. After the victory in the 4th round of the Moscow Grand Prix, Mammadyarov scored a rating of 2801, and became the first Azerbaijani chess player to reach that mark. Note that 2800 points in the personal rating are considered the highest indicator of success for chess players in tournaments. Thus, Mammadyarov became the 5th acting chess player of the planet with such a success.

"Getting to the 2800 rating was my old dream. I'm glad that it came true. Now I will fight for another dream - the title of world champion in chess”, the Azerbaijani grandmaster said after summarizing the tournament.

Another Azerbaijani grandmaster, who took part in the tournament, Teymur Rajabov shared 3-9 places with 5 points.

At the solemn closing of the tournament, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov congratulated chess players on the results shown in the tournament and noted the development of chess in Russia and around the world.

"Moscow is rightfully the center of development and popularization of chess. I would like to thank the organizers for hosting this excellent tournament", FIDE chief said.

Notably, tournaments in the Grand Prix series are the most difficult in the year. Winners of the stages go to the tournament for the title of world champion, which gives the participants additional motivation.