President Aliyev: This victory will have its own place in European chess history
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received members of Azerbaijani national men`s chess team, who won European championship, and the specialists of the Youth and Sports Ministry and Chess Federation on November 20.
Congratulating the chess players and specialists on the victory, President Aliyev said that this victory will have its own place in the European chess history.
The Head of State said national leader Heydar Aliyev established strong chess traditions in 1970s, and encouraged the development of chess in Azerbaijan`s regions.
The Azerbaijani president noted that in the years of independence, this tradition was restored and developed, with state-of-the-art chess schools put into operation in different regions.
Underlining Azerbaijan`s victories in high-profile international tournaments, President Aliyev stressed the importance of the Azerbaijani national team`s becoming the European champions for the second time.
President Aliyev said that this victory makes an important contribution to strengthening the country`s international image.
The Head of State noted that the decision to hold the next chess Olympiad in Azerbaijan was a result of the country`s achievements in sports.
European champion Shahriyar Mammadyarov hailed the team`s two gold, a silver, and a bronze medal won in the last four European championships as a result of a purposeful state policy. Mammadyarov also said that he would do his best to "represent Azerbaijan accordingly in international tournaments".
President Ilham Aliyev underlined the role of the specialists of the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Azerbaijan Chess Federation in this achievement.
Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation Faig Hasanov thanked the President on behalf of the chess players and specialists.
He said that complex work is done to ensure the development of chess in all the regions of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani heroes were met with a warm welcome by fans, family members, and sports figures at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku on November 20.
Azerbaijan's team led by Shahriyar Mammadyarov finished the tournament, which was held in Warsaw on November 7-18, with 14 points.
In all four games with Armenia's representatives, Azerbaijani chess players Shahriyar Mammadyarov, Teymur Radjabov, Rauf Mammadov, and Gadir Huseynov ended up in a draw.
Azerbaijani grandmasters Rauf Mammadov and Gadir Guseinov showed the best individual performance during the tournament. Mammadov won a bronze medal at the third board, while Huseynov won a fourth board silver medal.
In the women`s event, Ukraine won the title of the championship, ahead of Russia and Poland.
Azerbaijani national team had won the European Team Chess Championship in 2009, and lost only to Germany's national team at the previous tournament in 2011.