In April, 2015, an international tournament “Shamkir Chess 2015” in honour of Azerbaijani grandmaster Vugar Hashimov, the European champion and winner of various international tournaments, who recently passed away, will be held with support and sponsorship of Synergy Group.
 
The names of prominent chess masters to take part in this prestigious tournament have already been approved. For the first time three world champions - the current world champion Magnus Carlsen (Norway, 2863), former world champion Viswanathan Anand (India, 2791), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia, 2783) will compete in the tournament in Azerbaijan, as well as 2nd in FIDE ratings Fabiano Caruana (Italy, 2802), Anish Giri (Netherlands, 2790), Wesley So (USA, 2788), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France, 2716), Azerbaijani European champions Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (13 in FIDE ratings, 2756), Teimour Radjabov (20th, 2738) and the last winner of Azerbaijan Championship Rauf Mamedov (92th, 2658) will take part in the tournament.
 
The tournament’s prize fund is 100,000 Eur.
 
The main purpose of the tournament to be held with organization and sponsorship of one of the largest local investment companies in non-oil sector – Synergy Group, is to honor the memory of Vugar Hashimov and support the development of chess in Azerbaijan.
 
Mr. Fakhriyar Jabbarov, First Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of "Synergy Group" and Chairman of the ShamkirChess 2015 Organizing Committee stated that ShamkirChess2015 is one of the most prestigious international tournaments that contributes to the development of intellectual games and chess in Azerbaijan. We are happy to welcome world chess champions, Vugar Hashimov’s fans, his colleagues, as well as chess lovers on April 16-26, 2015, in Shamkir city. Chess lovers will get a chance to watch the live game of leading chess players like Magnus Karlsen, Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik. This is not just a chess tournament, because Azerbaijan will turn to a world chess center during the 10-day competition of leading chess stars. As "Synergy Group" we always take professional and consistent steps forward for a sustainable future and contribute to the development of the society”.
 
The tournament ShamkirChess 2015 in memory of famous Azerbaijani GM Vugar Hashimov  will be held at Heydar Aliyev Centre in Shamkir city. The opening ceremony of this 10-day prominent event will take place on April 16.