The Nakhchivan State Musical Drama Theater hosted the Nakhchivan-2019 International Chess Festival dedicated to the 96th anniversary of the national leader Heydar Aliyev on May 1.
First, the festival participants visited the monument of national leader Heydar Aliyev and expressed their respect, visited the Heydar Aliyev Museum and watched the exhibits about his life, political and statehood activities.
Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov, President of the Azerbaijani Chess Federation Elman Rustamov and President of the Turkish Chess Federation, Vice President of the International Chess Federation Gülkiz Tülay attended the opening ceremony.
Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov congratulated the participants on the occasion of the opening of the Nakhchivan-2019 International Chess Festival dedicated to the 96th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev and greeted the chess players and guests: Historically, chess is widely spread in Azerbaijan. During the leadership of our national leader Heydar Aliyev, chess was further developed, and this kind of sport contributed to the formation of the intellectual potential of the younger generation.
Chairman of the Supreme Majlis said: Today, Azerbaijan is one of the countries that chess is supported by the state. Due to the care of the President of the country Mr. Ilham Aliyev, chess systematically and consistently develops in Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. A modern Chess Center in Nakhchivan and children-youth chess schools in the districts of the Autonomous Republic have been built and put into operation and chess is taught at the high schools. Holding an international chess festival every year in the autonomous republic dedicated to the birthday of national leader Heydar Aliyev has turned Nakhchivan into one of the international chess centers.Top rated chess players are prepared in the autonomous republic. At present, a grandmaster, two international chess masters, three FIDE masters, an international referee and a FIDE referee work in Nakhchivan.About 4,000 young people are engaged in chess. Three of the young chess players were nominated for the Golden Book of Young Talents of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and they were awarded the monthly special scholarship of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis.
"Every year, as well as this year," Nakhchivan-2019 "International Chess Festival participants are distinguished by the masses," said the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis, opening the Nakhchivan-2019 International Chess Festival. He noted that the competitions will pass under the true sporting struggle and chess players will present their countries. He wished victory to all chess players.
Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov said that the development of physical culture and sport in our country, strengthening of material and technical base of sport and achievements in this field are connected with the name of national leader Heydar Aliyev.
During the leadership of the nationwide leader in our country chess has developed as well as other sports.
President Ilham Aliyev, the worthy successor of the political course of the great leader, pays special attention to the development of sports, including chess.
Azerbaijan is the first country to adopt the State Program on Chess Development in the world. This is a clear example of state care for the development of chess. Chess, which is an important force for the development of young people, has become a popular sport in our country. International chess tournaments in Azerbaijan, including Nakhchivan, host international chess festival dedicated to the birthday of the great leader.
The chairman of the Chess Federation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elman Rustamov, said that great leader Heydar Aliyev has taken care of the development of chess at the state level during both leaderships of our country.
Successful continuation of the political line of the genius by the President of the country, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, has led to the continuous development, teaching and mass development of chess in Azerbaijan along with other spheres. Today Azerbaijan is known as a chess country in the world. Men's and women's national teams have been successful in international chess competitions. At the same time, prestigious international chess competitions are held in Azerbaijan. Organizing Chess World Cup in 2015, World Chess Olympic Games in 2016 in Baku and international chess festival dedicated to the memory of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev in Nakhchivan every year are good evidences. The chess infrastructure created in Nakhchivan today, as well as the development and training of chess are very good examples. The strengthening of ties between the Chess Federation of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Chess Federation contributes finding of professional chess players. Elman Rustamov thanked the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis for his great support of the chess in the autonomous republic.
President of the Turkish Chess Federation, Vice President of the International Chess Federation, Gülkiz Tulay was pleased to be in Nakhchivan and to organize a chess festival. He said:
"The international chess festival, on the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the nationwide leader of the Azerbaijani people, the great son of the Turkic world Heydar Aliyev, held in his homeland has a great importance.
Successful development of relations between our countries, along with many spheres, also covers sports.
Particularly, cooperation in chess is a source of satisfaction. Chess is developing in Turkey. In this work, Azerbaijani chess players, chess teachers and masters have a great work. Chess schools in Nakhchivan are considered as a good example. Therefore, the work done in the development of chess in Nakhchivan should be promoted and promoted internationally.
International chess referee, chief judge of the chess festival Faig Hasanov said that the chess festival in Nakhchivan is organized at a high level. Festival in last 9 years has been included in the International Chess Federation calendar as the best festival. Every year, the festival hosts world and European champions, international rating and talented young chess players. This shows that the international chess community attaches great importance to the festival.
The high level organization of the Nakhchivan-2019 International Chess Festival, dedicated to the 96th anniversary of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, creates confidence in the successful conduct of competitions.
It was noted that 356 chess players from 14 countries are taking part in the "Nakhchivan-2019" International Chess Festival.
There are 20 international grandmasters, 15 international masters and 15 FIDE masters among the participants.
Then casted a lot among the chess players.
Nakhchivan State Philharmonic collective participated in the concert.
Press Service of Supreme Majlis of
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic
Translator: Mubariz Sultanov