Aynur Sofiyeva: "2006 has been successful for Azerbaijani chess players"

The federation president Aynur Sofiyeva said that 2006 has been successful for Azerbaijani chess players. She said that our young chess players have got 9 medals in the European and World championships.

"Young chess players have always returned from World and European championships with medals since 1996. 2006 Chess Olympiad was very important for us. But Azerbaijan could not achieve success in this competition. Though the chess players involved in the staff were strong, they could not act as a unique team. As Rauf Mammadov and Ilahe Gadimova acted successfully, they got license for the World Cup competitions. Teymur Rajabov was the second in the World Blitz Championship and the third in the international tournament held in honor of eighth world champion Mikhail Tal. Shahriyar Mammadyarov will be the fourth in the rating list of FIDE to be announced in January," she said.

Aynur Sofiyeva said that they plan to establish a club composed of leading grand masters to participate in European Inter-Club championships.

"International tournaments are expected to be held among the women in Azerbaijan in 2007. Besides, the prize fund of the country championship will increase. This amount was US $4000. The federation will create conditions for our chess players to participate in the international tournaments," she said.

She said that the federation allocated stipends of US $100-500 to a number of chess players.

Sofiyeva said 5 chess schools will be opened in Nakhchivan soon, APA reports.