Azerbaijani chess players start off in Spain

The chess festival Donostia to involve Azerbaijani grandmasters Vugar Hashimov and Shahriyar Mammadyarov started in San-Sebastian (Spain). Azerbaijan's leading chess players will start competition from the second round to be held today. Their first opponents have come out. Both represent Spain. Hashimov is to play Inigo Martin Alvares and Mammadyarov is to face Inigo Argandona.

Sarhan Hashimov played in the first round where he beat English Laurence Webb 2.5-1.5. His next opponent will be French Christian Bauer. The main round of the festival is held by the knockout system. Each round consists of the two games. Two quick parties play in case of draw. If they do not reveal the winner, the chess players will have the so-called Armageddon. All participants who lose before the round of 16 will be transferred to tournament B. The winner of the main round will get a money prize of EUR20,000 and a moped worth EUR5,000.


/News.az/