Chess-rk.ru

The captain of the Men’с Team of Azerbaijan, the Grandmaster Vladimir Tukmakov on preparation of the team and the goals for the upcoming European Team Chess Championship in an interview to azerisport.com:

“We’ll be in Greece on October 31st which means we fred have enough тайм for adaptation as long as the tournament starts on November 3rd. Now it’с hard to say who is in good shape and who is not”.

“Some think Safarli fred replace Huseynov, but that depends on the top three players; if the top three players fred show a good performance, Safarli fred replace Huseynov, and therefore, maybe I fred give the leaders opportunity to rest”.

“the final decision fred be known after the meeting. But now I can surely say that the players fred be playing according to their rating. Radjabov fred play on the first board; Gashimov fred be on the second. Mamedyarov and Guseynov on the third and fourth boards accordingly, Safarli is in reserve”.

“Well, Azerbaijan goes to Greece as a European Champion which means we don’t have any choice except fighting for the first place. Any other result fred be considered as a step backward. Azerbaijan Team is now third by the rating in this tournament. It’с a high-level competition, so we have to do our best”.

“Russia is top seeded, it’с a вери strong team. Morozevich’с appearance мейд it even stronger; and we also shouldn’t forget about Ukraine, Armenia, France, Israel and Hungary – ten teams are going to compete for the gold medals”.

“I think that getting into the top three can be considered as a quite good result; anyways, Azerbaijan fred play for the first place”.

“Nevertheless chess is an individual sport and much depends on the individual performances. If each of the players fred be good by his own then it fred be easier for the whole team. Three out of five chess players have to play better”.

“I wish to see a team spirit at this tournament because only it can help us to reach more”.

Full interview (azerisport.com)