The “Shusha Chess 2022” international tournament was held from 21-25 September 2022 in Shusha, Azerbaijan with 10 world-class grandmasters competing in the Open section, and 10 world-known female players competing in the Women’s event. The event was dedicated to the 190th anniversary of prominent poet and philanthropist Khurshidbanu Natavan and featured a total prize fund of 80.000$. The events consisted of Rapid and Blitz portions, with 9 round-robin rapid tournaments and 9 double round-robin blitz tournaments.
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov convincingly won the Open tournament pocketing a money prize of 15.000$. Mamedyarov scored a total of 26 points (15 points in the rapid portion, and 11 points in the blitz portion of the event). Parham Maghsoodloo was second with a total of 24.5 points (13 points in the rapid portion and 11.5 points in the blitz portion of the tournament), while Vidit Santosh Gujrathi clinched bronze with 23.5 points (13 points in rapid, and 10.5 points in the blitz part of the event). Scroll down for final rankings
Replay the games here – Shusha Chess Open section
Georgian International master Meri Arabidze won the Women’s tournament as she dominated the blitz part of the event scoring impressive 15 points. Arabidze had 9 points in the rapid event, collecting a total of 24 points to be ahead of her compatriot GM Nana Dzagnidze who came second with a total score of 23.5 points. Ozturk Orenli Kubra was third with 20 points (12 points in rapid portion, and 8 points in the blitz part of the event). Scroll down for final rankings
Replay the games here – Shusha Chess Women’s section
The winners of the tournament, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Meri Arabidze, were awarded trophies specially made by the Georgian “Zarabkhana” jewelry house.
Elnur Mammadov, head of the department of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Youth and Sports, attended the closing ceremony of the event and addressed the players and organizers. After his speech, Elnur Mammadov presented a souvenir to the Shusha City State Reserve Department, which supported the competition.
Mahir Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation, and Vice-President of FIDE, expressed his gratitude to the participants of the first chess tournament in the magnificent Shusha: “The competition in Shusha is very important for Azerbaijanis. Therefore, most members of the Azerbaijan national team competed in this tournament. At the same time, I express my gratitude to foreign chess players, arbiters, commentators and media representatives who broadcasted the games live. I would like to thank Aydın Karimova, the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Shusha region, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Shusha City State Reserve Department, as well as all the employees of the Karabakh hotel where the tournament was held“.
After the speech, the head of the AFC presented a commemorative gift to Nona Gaprindashvili, the five-time world and 11-time Olympic champion, who is considered the best athlete of Georgia.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Azerkhalcha” OJSC Jeyhun Alibeyov donated the Shusha Chess 2022 carpet, which was knitted by participants, guests and officials during the tournament, as a souvenir to the Azerbaijan Chess Federation.
Final rankings Shusha Chess 2022 – Open section:
- Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, 26 points (15 points rapid, 11 points blitz)
- Parham Maghsoodloo 24.5 points (13 points rapid, 11.5 points blitz)
- Vidit Santosh Gujrathi 23.5 points (13 points rapid, 10.5 points blitz)
- Teimour Radjabov 20.5 points (9 points rapid, 11.5 points blitz)
- Vasif Durarbayli 19 points (10 points rapid, 9 points blitz)
- Wang Hao 16.5 points (9 points rapid, 7.5 points blitz)
- Rauf Mamedov 15 points (6 points rapid, 9 points blitz)
- Rustam Kasimdzhanov 12.5 points (7 points rapid, 5.5 points blitz)
- Mustafa Yilmaz 12 points (5 points rapid, 7 points blitz)
- Gadir Guseinov 10.5 points (3 points rapid, 7 points blitz).
Final rankings Shusha Chess 2022 – Women’s section:
- Arabidze Meri 24 points (9 points rapid, 15 points blitz)
- Dzagnidze Nana 23.5 points (15 points rapid, 8.5 points blitz)
- Ozturk Orenli Kubra 20 points (12 points rapid, 8 points blitz)
- Mammadova Gulnar 19 points (8 points rapid, 11 points blitz)
- Beydullayeva Govhar 18 points (9 points rapid, 9 points blitz)
- Efroimski Marsel 17 points (8 points rapid, 9 points blitz)
- Balajayeva Khanim 16.5 points (9 points rapid, 7.5 points blitz)
- Mammadzada Gunay 14.5 points (7 points rapid, 7.5 points blitz)
- Fataliyeva Ulviyya 14 points (5 points rapid, 9 points blitz)
- Zawadzka Jolanta 13.5 points (8 points rapid, 5.5 points blitz)
