Shahriyar Mammadyarov, last year’s winner of the ShamkirChess Tournament dedicated to the memory of late chess player Vugar Hashimov expressed his views on the fourth race that will start on April the 20 th . Azerbaijani chess player said that Shamkir tournament has specific place in his carreer: Shamkir tournament is dedicated to the memory of our friend, the pride of Azerbaijan Vugar Hashimov. For many years, we were teammateы with Vugar. We always helped each other .That is why I'm always going to Shamkir with great enthusiasm. This year, I got invitation from another tournament. However, I have decided to take part in Shamkir.

Moreover, as a recent winner of the competition, this year I am going to fight for the top places. On the list of participants thereís almost no weak player. All chess players have taken high places at FIDE rating. The absence of world champion Magnus Carlsen doesnít ease the fight. On the contrary, in his absence the number of the ambitious is growing.

As the final winner of the competition this year I will fight for the victory as well. I understand that it will not be easy. Breathing easily is not possible in the tournament where world champion Vladimir Kramnik, Veselin Topalov and Sergey Karjakin, who was nominated as the world champion are competing.

On behalf of chess players I would like to thank the Organizing Committee "Synergy Group" . At the moment, the high category chess tournaments are few in the world. In spite of that the organizers have managed to make Shamkir tournament traditional. By doing so they show huge respect to Vugar Hashimov, as well as support the development of chess in Azerbaijan. I am always going to Shamkir with great joy. And this year I am sure that lovers of chess will watch very interesting parties.