Remembering Azerbaijan Chess Talent Vugar Gashimov: Statue Unveiled
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| Photo via www.chess-news.ru |
Hello chess blog friends, the Azerbaijan press reports that a memorial statue of Vugar Gashimov was unveiled today on the 28th birth anniversary of the talented chess player. Azerbaijan Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Ismail Ismailov said, Gashimov had made a tremendous contribution to chess history of Azerbaijan. He said the Azerbaijan Government would take steps to ensure that Gashimov was remembered. A memorial chess tournament - for children - was also inaugurated today.
Gashimov's father, present on the occasion, thanked the sculptor, Azad Aliyev.. He also spoke about Vugar's love for chess and his joy in keeping the Azerbaijani flag flying high with chess victories.
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Baku to Host U-12 Chess Tournament in Memory of Vugar Gashimov
Hello dear chess blog friends, an international chess tournament commemorating the 28th anniversary of the birth of chess Grandmaster, three-time Azerbaijani national chess champion, the late Vugar Gashimov, will be organised in Baku on July 25, according to news reports. The Under-12 tournament will bring together more than 100 chess players from Russia, France, Georgia, Turkey, Iran and other countries.
The winner of the tournament will qualify for the European Youth Chess Championships, which will take place in Batumi, Georgia, in October. The tournament will be played over 9 rounds.
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Labels: chess memorial, vugar gashimov
Vugar Gashimov 'Lives Again' as Shamkir Memorial Chess 2014 begins with World's Top Chess Stars
Hello everyone,
The Shamkir Chess 2014 tournament was officially opened on Saturday at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Shamkir, Azerbaijan. A touching opening ceremony included a short movie about Vugar Gashimov, for whom this tournament is a memorial. The drawing of lots resulted in the following pairings for the first round on Sunday: Carlsen-Mamedyarov, Nakamura-Caruana, Karjakin-Radjabov (A group), Wojtaszek-Durarbayli, Eljanov-Mamedov, Motylev-Abasov, Safarli-Huseinov and Wang-Bacrot (B group).
The opening ceremony, which was attended by about 150 people, started with a one-minute of silence for Vugar. A number of honorable guests paid due respect to Vugar's memory giving speeches, including the mayor of Shamkir, the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport and the Vice President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation.
A touching moment followed when the father of Vugar appeared on stage. Starting with “Dear good friends of Vugar, because that is what you are since you have come here”, he spoke proudly about how much his son had achieved in the short life he was given. There were hardly spectators who kept dry eyes.
He expressed his appreciation for the support he had received from the government and said: “he's not just my son, but the son of the motherland.”
Chairman of Supervisory Board at Synergy Group, Riyad Huseynov greeted all the participants. Emphasizing the importance of this tournament for whole chess community, Mr. Huseynov stated to be honored organizing Shamkir Chess 2014: "I assure all of you that the Organizing Committee of the tournament will do their best to make sure everything is on high level. I declare the tournament open. Let the strongest win."
One of Vugar's friends and former coach, Viorel Iordachescu, also gave a personal and emotional speech. “My collaboration and friendship with Vugar was the happiest period of my life. With the loss of Vugar I lost a part of me.” Iordachescu also introduced special stamps to the audience.
The drawing of lots was a rather simple affair, performed by Chief Arbiter Faik Gasanov. First the players of the B group came on stage, and then the players of the A group. They all had to choose a small trophy, and at the bottom they found their lot number. For the A group Magnus Carlsen appeared first on stage, and he picked number 1 which means he starts with two whites.
The ceremony finished with a dance performance, and after that there was a reception. (official website)
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Labels: Hikaru nakamura, Magnus Carlsen, shamkir chess, vugar gashimov
Shamkir April 19 Vugar Gashimov Memorial - World's Top Chess GMs Gather to Salute a Chess Star
Hello dear Chess Blog friends,
Vugar Gashimov Chess Memorial 2014
Shamkir - the city that lies quietly on the banks of River Chagirchay in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus - is named after the brightest of stars, the Sun.
Come April 19 and some of the world's best chess stars will gather in the Azerbaijan city to pay homage to another star - Vugar Gashimov. Gashimov is no more, but his beautiful chess remains with us forever. A chess memorial attended by the world's best could alone be a befitting tribute to Vugar Gashimov.
There will be two groups - A and B.
The official website of the event will transmit live all the games along with commentary, in English, Russian, and Azerbaijani, by some of the best in the chess world.
The Azeri comments will come from Grandmasters, honored coach of Azerbaijan, FIDE trainer Anar Allahverdiyev and coach of the national team of teenagers Farid Abbasov.
Two-time Wijk-aan-Zee champion, Olympiad and European Championship participant, honored FIDE coach Gennady Sosonko will also be part of the commentary team.
Along with Sosonko, coach of Vugar Gashimov Viorel Iordakescu will comment the games in English. Sergey Shipov, one of the world's most famous commentators will comment in Russian.
The tournament is hosted and organised by "Synergy Group" which works "For a sustainable future". The opening ceremony will be held on April 19 at Heydar Aliyev Center in Shamkir. Established in 2010, Synergy Group is one of the largest private investment holdings in Azerbaijan. The Group invests in a number of strategic industry areas with high growth potential. Synergy Group successfully operates a dynamic portfolio of 28 diverse and growth-oriented businesses and with all its companies employs more than 1500 people.
Vugar Gashimov
Born on July 24th, 1986 in Baku, Vugar Gashimov achieved his peak ranking-world#6 in November, 2009. He has been the winner of Baku Grand Prix. Representing Azerbaijani team, he became the European champion in 2009. He played a crucial role in the historical victory of the national team at the European Championship held in Serbia. In 2011 he became the winner of Reggio Emilia chess tournament held in Italy since 1958. Playing on behalf of several chess clubs, he became the champion of Croatia, Turkey, Romania, Iran, Spain and Moldova. A silver-medalist, Gashimov was known as a particularly strong blitz chess player. Owner of more than 72 titles, Vugar Gashimov is the winner of Kasparov Cup. For his individual indicators, he became silver medalist of the Chess Olympiad held in 2008. He is also a silver and bronze-medalist of the World Intellectual Games.
Vugar Gashimov passed away on January 10th, 2014 in Heidelberg, Germany at the age of 27. The grandmaster from Baku had been ill for a long time and was under treatment for the last 1.5 years.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Labels: azerbaijan chess, shamkir chess, vugar gashimov
Vugar Gashimov Laid to Rest in Alley of Honor
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Azerbaijan and chess fans worldwide paid their final tributes to Grandmaster Vugar Gashimov who was laid to rest in the 'Alley of Honor'. Thousands of fans, along with friends and relatives of the Grandmaster, members of the Azerbaijani national chess team, government officials and Azerbaijan Chess Federation officials paid their last respects on the talented player's last journey. Our heartfelt condolences to Gashimov's family. (via www.chess-news.ru Also: RIP: Vugar Gashimov is no more)
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
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Labels: azerbaijan chess, chess onituary, vugar gashimov
RIP: Vugar Gashimov is No More
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
It is sad news that member of the Azerbaijan National Chess team, the talented GM Vugar Gashimov is no more. He was under treatment at a Heidelberg clinic in Germany.
Born July 24, 1986 in Baku, Gashimov was three times Azerbaijani national chess champion. He played in the gold medal-winning Azerbaijani team at the European Team Chess Championship in Novi Sad in 2009 and became winner of Reggio Emilia chess tournament in 2011.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Vugar Gashimov's friends and family.
Labels: azerbaijan chess, chess obituary, vugar gashimov
Korchnoi's wit and French team's sportsmanship - that's what chess is all about!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
Here are two incidents from the European Team Chess Championship 2011 currently on in Greece. One is about sportsmanship and the other is about legendary Korchnoi wit.
The first is the Viktor Korchnoi incident. We found it on www.chess-news.ru (Russian). The legendary grandmaster is playing on board two for Switzerland. In round four, he reached the above position, as Black, against the Welsh player Tim Kett. White, who is to play, is obviously dead lost. Kett, however, sat staring at the position or glancing at the board next to him, for some time.
Eventually, Viktor could contain himself no longer, and pointed out to his opponent that it was his move. Kett continued to ponder some more, and then resigned. Korchnoi’s reaction was “That is the correct move!”
France's offer of draw
Vugar Gashimov of Azerbaijan fell ill during the Round 4 match, after which France’s team offered to tie the games on all boards. Gashimov is better now but there, we have another incident of sportsmanship. That is what chess is all about never mind the occasional stupid incident of cheating etc.
Labels: azerbaijan, european team chess championship 2011, france, viktor korchnoi, vugar gashimov
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