Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Shamkir has become a hometown for all chess players, said Farid Huseynov, the head of the Organizing Committee of the Shamkir Chess 2017 and director of the Gashimov Memorial.

Huseynov made the remark at a meeting of the Organizing Committee and Synergy Group in Shamkir, Trend Life reported.

“This beautiful city, will for the fourth time host the Gashimov Memorial. I would like to thank the state structures that have supported the organization. I believe that the competition will once again be held at a high level", he said.

The Shamkir Chess 2017, the 4th edition of the tournament in memory of Azerbaijan’s late grandmaster Vugar Gashimov is scheduled for April 20-30. The world’s strong grandmasters will compete in the memorial, organized by "Synergy Group" and Azerbaijan Chess Federation.

Vice-President of the Chess Federation Faig Hasanov, in turn, said that the Gashimov Memorial has become a tradition and expressed appreciation for the preparations for the competition.

During the meeting, Shamkir City Executive Power head Alimpasha Mammadov gave appropriate instructions regarding the tournament.

The grand opening ceremony will be held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Shamkir on April 20. The nine-round tournament will end on April 30. Total prize fund is €100,000 and €25,000 for first place.

27-year old Gashimov, who was one of the world’s top players for a decade and who helped lead Azerbaijani team to the gold medal in the European Team Chess Championship in 2009, died in January 2014.

Gashimov became an international master in 1999 and earned the top title of grandmaster in 2002.

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

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