Azerbaijan has a rich history and culture in the game of Chess. The country’s top players have achieved impressive results in international competitions and are highly sought after in the Chess world.
This article will explore some of the best Chess players from Azerbaijan and their incredible achievements. From world champions to Grandmasters, these players have made a lasting impact on the sport and are a source of national pride for Azerbaijan.
We’ll look at their background, their accomplishments, and their standing in Chess today. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and discover some of the best Chess players from Azerbaijan.
1. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
Shahriyar Hamid oghlu Mammadyarov, better known as Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, is a chess grandmaster from Azerbaijan. As of September 2023, he is the second-best-ranked player in his country.
His personal best rating of 2820 puts him among the top six chess players in the world, making him one of the highest-rated players in history.
Mamedyarov has achieved a number of remarkable successes in his career, including two World Cup titles, three European Team Championships, and a gold medal at the 2015 World Team Championship.
He has also won the FIDE Grand Prix, the FIDE World Cup, and the World Rapid Championship. Mamedyarov is one of the few players to have achieved a perfect score at a chess tournament, a feat he accomplished at the 2013 FIDE Grand Prix.
He is currently the captain of the Azerbaijan national chess team and is a member of the Mariya Chess Academy. Mamedyarov is an inspiration to many aspiring chess players around the world, having worked hard to reach the top of the chess world.
2. Teimour Radjabov
Teimour Boris oghlu Radjabov is an Azerbaijani chess grandmaster who had a promising career from a very young age. He earned the title of Grandmaster in March 2001 when he was just 14 years old, making him the second-youngest grandmaster in history at the time.
Radjabov was born in Azerbaijan in 1987 and began playing chess at the age of four. His natural prowess and rapid development soon earned him the title of child prodigy, and by the age of nine he had won the U-10 World Youth Chess Championship.
Radjabov improved his skills and technique over the years, and by 2001 he had achieved the highest title in chess – Grandmaster. This title is usually achieved by adults, making Radjabov’s achievement all the more impressive.
Radjabov’s success as a grandmaster has continued into adulthood. He has won several tournaments, including the 2004 FIDE World Cup, and has achieved many impressive results in world championships.
He has also represented Azerbaijan in the Chess Olympiads and qualified for the Candidates Tournament of the World Chess Championship on multiple occasions. Radjabov’s achievements are remarkable, and he is an inspiration to young chess players all over the world.
He has shown that it is possible to achieve great success at chess, even from a very young age. His story is one of determination and hard work and a testament to the power of dedication and skill.
3. Nijat Abasov
Nijat Azad oglu Abasov is an extremely talented Azerbaijani chess grandmaster. He achieved a milestone in his career in September 2023, when he reached an all-time-highest rating of 2677.
This accomplishment earned him the third-highest ranking in Azerbaijan and the fifty-ninth-highest ranking in the world. This is a remarkable feat, considering that he is competing against thousands of players from all around the world.
It is a testament to his skill and determination that he was able to climb up the rankings and make his mark in the chess world.
4. Eltaj Safarli
Eltaj Safarli is a highly accomplished chess Grandmaster from Azerbaijan. He has been playing tournaments since he was 6 years old, and has achieved a great deal of success throughout his career.
In October 2016, Safarli reached the highest rating of his entire career, with a rating of 2694, which placed him as No. 3 in Azerbaijan and No. 46 in the world.Safari has also had considerable success in the Azerbaijan Championships.
He won the event in 2010 and again in 2016, which is a testament to his skill and dedication to the game. Safari is one of the most accomplished chess players in the world, and his achievements are a source of great pride in Azerbaijan.
5. Gadir Guseinov
Gadir Guseinov is a renowned chess grandmaster from Azerbaijan. He is one of the most successful chess players in his country, and as of September 2023, is ranked 6th in Azerbaijan.
Guseinov has been playing chess since the age of 7 and has had an impressive career, having won numerous national and international tournaments. He is a five-time Azerbaijani Champion, a two-time European Champion, and a one-time World Team Champion.
He has also won numerous individual medals in international tournaments, including the silver medal at the World Rapid Chess Championship in 2019. Gadir Guseinov is an inspiration to many chess players in Azerbaijan and beyond.
He has shown that hard work and dedication can lead to success, no matter what the odds. He is an example of how excellence can be achieved with determination and passion.
His success and achievements have earned him a great deal of respect and admiration from the chess community. His ranking as the No. 6 chess player in Azerbaijan is proof of his dedication and talent.
6. Rauf Mamedov
Rauf Mamedov is a highly accomplished chess player from Azerbaijan. He has achieved the title of Grandmaster, the highest chess title attainable, and has been the Azerbaijani national chess champion a total of three times.
His skill and experience in the game have been highlighted by his participation in the FIDE World Cup, a prestigious international chess tournament, on four separate occasions in 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2015.
Mamedov’s consistent success in the world of chess, particularly in tournaments of such high caliber, is a testament to his expertise in the game.
7. Nidjat Mamedov
Nidjat Mamedov is an Azerbaijani chess player who has achieved great success in the world of chess. He was awarded the title of Grandmaster by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) in 2006, a prestigious honor in the chess world.
Prior to his Grandmaster title, Mamedov had already made quite a name for himself in the chess world, as he won the U14 section of the European Youth Chess Championships in 1999. This was an impressive feat, considering that he was only 14 years old when he won the tournament.
Since then, Mamedov has gone on to become a well-respected chess player and teacher, with many of his students achieving success at various national and international chess tournaments.
His success has made him a notable figure in the Azerbaijani chess scene, and he has been a source of pride for his country.
8. Azer Mirzoev
Azer Mirzoev is a highly respected chess player from Azerbaijan. He has achieved the title of Grandmaster, which is the highest title in chess and is considered one of the elite players in the world.
Mirzoev has won numerous prestigious tournaments and competitions, including the Azerbaijani Chess Championship and the World Junior Chess Championship. He is also a five-time Azerbaijani National Champion and has represented Azerbaijan in the Chess Olympiads since 2008.
His record in international competitions is impressive, with a number of top-ten finishes in several major tournaments. Mirzoev is also a highly successful chess coach, having trained a number of students to become successful players in their own right.
He is a great ambassador for Azerbaijani chess and is an example of the excellence that can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
9. Narmin Khalafova
Narmin Ilgar qizi Khalafova is an esteemed chess player from Azerbaijan. She is the first and only Woman Grandmaster from the country and is a source of immense pride for the nation.
Her achievements in the game are unparalleled and she has been recognized for her incredible talents in the field. Khalafova is known to have an impressive chess record and has competed in various international tournaments, including the Women’s World Chess Championship in 2019.
She has also served as a coach at the Chess Academy in Baku and is actively involved in the promotion of chess in the country.
Her accomplishments have been recognized by many, including the International Chess Federation, which awarded her the title of Woman Grandmaster in 2019. Khalafova’s immense talent and dedication to the game of chess have made her an inspiration to many.
She is a role model for aspiring chess players from Azerbaijan and beyond, and her success has been a source of pride for the nation. Her story is one of determination and resilience, and her achievements are a reminder of the potential of human greatness.
10. Ayan Allahverdiyeva
Ayan Allahverdiyeva is a rising star in the world of chess. She is from Azerbaijan, a country known for its prominent chess players. Ayan started playing chess at a young age, and her hard work and dedication has paid off.
She has won numerous local and international tournaments, and in 2019 she won the European Youth Chess Championship. As a result, she was awarded the title of Woman FIDE Master. Ayan’s win at the European Youth Chess Championship has been a major milestone in her chess career.
She has been recognized as a talented player and is now considered as one of the top players in Azerbaijan. She has been invited to participate in various international tournaments and has competed successfully against some of the world’s top chess players.
Ayan is an inspiring figure in the chess world. Her passion for the game and her hard work has been an example for many young players who want to pursue a career in chess. Her success is proof that dedication and hard work can take you far.
She is an inspiration to many young chess players and she is sure to continue to make her mark on the world of chess.
11. Zeinab Mamedyarova
Zeinab Hamid qizi Mamedyarova is an outstanding chess player from Azerbaijan. She has achieved a high level of success in the sport, being awarded the prestigious title of Woman Grandmaster (WGM) by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
This title is one of the highest distinctions a female chess player can receive, and it is a testament to Zeinab’s skill and dedication. She has been playing chess for many years, and she has a great passion for the game.
Her commitment to the sport has allowed her to reach a level of excellence that has earned her the respect of the international chess community.
Zeinab is a role model for aspiring female chess players, and she is an inspiration for other women in Azerbaijan and beyond who wish to pursue their dreams.
12. Farid Abbasov
Farid Abbasov is a highly accomplished chess player from Azerbaijan. He is currently ranked 14th in Azerbaijan as of July 2021, a remarkable feat in itself. However, his success in the game of chess began long before that.
In 1997, he achieved a great feat by taking 2nd place in the European Youth Chess Championship. Four years later, in 2001, he was awarded the International Master title, a testament to his skills and dedication to the game.
Since that time, he has continued to strive for excellence in the game, and his current ranking is a reminder of just how far he has come.
13. Faiq Hasanov
Faiq Hasanov is an accomplished individual with a diverse set of skills and interests. He is an International Arbiter for chess, which involves ensuring fair and consistent rules are applied during competitive matches.
He is also a coach, providing knowledge and guidance to chess players. Additionally, he is a television presenter, appearing on various programs and networks to discuss chess strategy and other topics.
He is also an author, having written several books, articles, and other works. Lastly, he is the vice-president of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation, helping to organize and oversee chess tournaments in the country.
As a whole, Faiq Hasanov is an integral part of the Azerbaijani chess community, and his contributions have helped to further the game in his region.
14. Rasul Ibrahimov
Rasul Ibrahimov is a highly accomplished chess player from Azerbaijan. He has earned the prestigious title of Grandmaster, which is a major accomplishment in the chess world.
He first earned the International Master title in 2000 and then went on to become a Grandmaster in 2005. In addition to his individual achievements, Rasul has also been a part of the Azerbaijan Chess Olympiad team in 2002 and 2004.
This shows that not only is he a highly skilled individual chess player, but he is also a valuable member of his country’s team. His achievements have made him one of the most well-known chess players in Azerbaijan.
15. Elmar Magerramov
Elmar Magerramov is an accomplished international chess Grandmaster. He has achieved numerous successes throughout his career, the most notable of which was in 1991 when he shared first place in the last USSR Chess Championship held with Artashes Minasian.
Although he managed to tie with his opponent, he ultimately lost the title due to tiebreaks. However, Magerramov achieved a historic feat in 1992 when he became the first chess Grandmaster in the history of Azerbaijan.
This was a remarkable accomplishment, as it had not been achieved by any other player in the country prior to him. His success in the game of chess has made him a celebrated figure in the international chess community.
16. Ulvi Bajarani
Ulvi Bajarani is an Azerbaijani chess Grandmaster who has achieved tremendous success in the chess world. He has earned three different titles in the field of chess, starting with the FIDE Master title in 2005.
This title is awarded to chess players who have achieved a certain level of experience and skill. A few years later, in 2010, he was awarded the International Master title, which is a higher honor given to the most accomplished players in the game.
Finally, in 2013, he achieved the highest title of all, the Grandmaster title. This title is the highest honor that can be given to a chess player and it is only awarded to the most elite players in the world.
Ulvi Bajarani has demonstrated his dedication to the game of chess and his commitment to excellence in the game.
17. Melikset Khachiyan
Melikset Khachiyan is a renowned Armenian-American Grandmaster of chess. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California. Khachiyan began playing chess at the age of eight, and his talent was quickly recognized.
Two years later, he won the Baku Junior Championship, an impressive feat for such a young age. By twelve, he was already a Soviet candidate master, a title that recognized his skill and dedication to the game.
His early success is a testament to his natural talent for chess, and his commitment to improving his skills. Khachiyan is an excellent example of a young person reaching great heights in the world of chess.
18. Nonna Karakashyan
Nonna M. Karakashyan is an Armenian woman who made history when she became the first woman ever to receive the FIDE title of International Arbiter. She is a chess player and coach, and her last name can be spelled as Karakashian.
Karakashyan is a student of the Honoured Trainer Suren Abramian, who is known for his work in the field of chess. Karakashyan is a pioneer for women in chess, as she was the first to earn the prestigious FIDE title of International Arbiter.
This title is given to those who are qualified to act as an arbiter in top-level chess tournaments.
As a result, Karakashyan opened the door for other women who want to pursue a career in the sport. In addition to her professional work in chess, Karakashyan is also an accomplished player and coach.
She has been a student of Honoured Trainer Suren Abramian, a renowned figure in the field of chess. Through her coaching, she has helped many aspiring players reach their goals.Nonna M. Karakashyan is an inspiration for all women who want to pursue a career in chess.
Her achievements as an International Arbiter and her work as a coach and player are both evidence of her dedication to the game. Karakashyan is a true leader who is paving the way for future generations of female chess players.
Conclusion
The best chess players in Azerbaijan are some of the strongest players in the world. They have consistently proved their worth in international tournaments and have achieved numerous successes.
Their hard work and dedication to the game of chess have made them an inspiration to aspiring chess players around the world. Through their impressive accomplishments, these players have shown that Azerbaijan is a chess superpower.
