Dedicated to the memory Vugar Hashimov ShamkirChess2017 tournament’s V round has ended. Leader of competition Azerbaijani chess player Shahriyar Mammadyarov drew with Indian representative Pentala Harikrişna with black figures in reporting round. After game Shahriyar Mammadyarov gave an interview to the official website of tournament.

- You were close to victory in the Fifth round with black pieces again. Do you consider a draw the fair result  against Indian chess player?

The goal was to show a good game. I gained a great advantage the beginning of the party. I tried to use. Just at the crucial moment i did not see the important move. Therefore the advantage was wasted. Pentala is unsuccessful rival for me. In recent years i my game does not work against him. He defeated me in Baku Chess Olympiad. Last year i lost to him in Shamkir. So i tried to play carefully. It does not seem as a perfect victory, but advantage was big.

Let us remember the end of last year. Half a point at the end of the competition could be decisive.

The cgess fate might probably not forgive me. Loss of points is not always good situation. But I don’t consider a draw the loss of point. I consider my performance normal after V round.  i have won twice with black pieces. I drew in three games. Last year i started bad, but I ended the tournament well. I hope this year too we will watch a good ending. This time I started well. I would not want a bad ending. Interesting games are ahead.

After the weekend a difficult match is awaiting you with former world champion Vladimir Kramnik. The match against Kramnik is never easy.

-I agree with you. It will be difficult to play against  Kramnik especially with black pieces. Kramnik is one of the strongest players in the world. In general it is very difficult to play a game in Shamkir. you can lose Because of one mistake. 

-After Shamkir you will take part in two more tournaments. Won’s such a busy schedule tire you?

-I have thought about it. After Shamkir  i go directly to Sochi. There will be the Russian championship   among the teams . I have already signed a contract with the club "Siberia". We will fight in the same club with Vladimir Kramnik.. Russian League begins on 1 may . Then , Grand Pry tournament starts on 11 may  in Moscow.It is not easy to take part in 3 consecutive competitions. Now i see that i am already tired.

-So in the European Cup  also  you will be a part of "Siberia" staff.

-yes. Under the agreement I will defend the honor of this team European Champions Cup. As the invitation came from strong team I  took it positively. There will be interesting rivals.

- will Azerbaijan not be represented in the European Cup? Or to sign contract with "Siberia" was planned ahead?

-The Azerbaijani club will be in this competition. It’s just "Siberia"  is an ambitious club with strong members. That's why I could not say no. I wanted to play in a pretentious team in the European Cup. Unfortunately in our country there is no competition between the clubs. But,It is interesting to fight in  Russian League.

-You have come to Shamkir together with Rauf Mammadov. He helps you as a coach. We wanted know  is it difficult to work with your teammate Rauf Mammadov? is Player Rauf or coach Rauf strong?

-I work with Rauf since 2007.Of  Course chess players Rauf is  stronger. Coaching is somewhat different. As a chess player he has great potential. 

Coaching is new for him yet. He is a good friend. I go to any competition comfortably with him.

-Usually private life of  chess Players affects  their career .as far as we are informed you got engaged. Does Private life affect the game?

 -Affects (laughs). I hope it will affect in a good way. I won the TOURNAMENT at the Grand Prix in the united Arab Emirates. Now i want to succeed in Shamkir. I really believe it will positively affect my career.