Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani chess players continue competing at the 19th Dubai Open Tournament 2017.

The tournament brought together 215 players, including 53 grandmasters. The Swiss system tournament features nine rounds.

The country pins deep hope on eight chess players and expects them to end the tournament with best results.

In the fourth round, Eltaj Safarli defeated his compatriot Ahmed Akhmedzade with 2.5 points.

With the same points, Vugar Asadli take a victory over Arian Tari from Norway, azerisport.com reported.

Chess for centuries has been a popular game in Azerbaijan with ancient roots closely related to traditions. The country could preserve these traditions as the chess remains to be a crucially popular sports for now.

The first references to chess in Azerbaijan can be found in the works of the 12th century such great poets as Khaqani and Nizami as well as in the works of one of the nation’s most respected literary personalities Fuzuli.

The 42nd Chess Olympiad, which took place in Baku, is an excellent example of great attention paid to the development of chess game in the country.

The first World Chess Olympiad in Azerbaijan arranged at the Baku Crystal Hall, a multipurpose sports and concert arena. The chess tournament hosted about 2,000 chess masters from 175 countries.

Azerbaijan Chess Federation was founded in 1920. Elman Rustamov is the President of National Chess Federation since 2007.

The national chess players have always been taking high places at top-ranked tournaments.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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