The tense and stubborn struggle of the intellectuals participating in the Nakhchivan-2019 International Chess Festival, dedicated to the 96th anniversary of our national leader Heydar Aliyev continues. We present you some interviews.

Nicat Abasov – Azerbaijanian Grandmaster: – For the fifth time I am attending the International Chess Festival in Nakhchivan. Organization is at a very high level. I would say that it was organized better than many competitions held in Europe. Nakhchivan city has a distinctive feature: the city is clean, beautiful and calm. It is more different than any other corner of Azerbaijan. Of course, the city has its own peculiarity. Chess players love this tournament, and I am among them. This festival has a special place in the calendar. As for the blitz tournament, it was a very interesting and intense competition. It was not known who would win until the final. Finally, I was lucky and won the title of the blitz tournament.

Tornike Sanikidze – Georgian grandmaster: – It is true, I've been to your country once, but it's my first visit to Nakhchivan. I learned about the tournament from other colleagues and decided to participate. We should say that at the festival strong chess players are fighting. This is an additional stimulus for us, because the strongest competitors will tell you about the level of the tournament. The organization is at a high level. The quietness of the city is convenient for chess play. I can say that even though I was here for only a week, I loved Nakhchivan very much.
Zaur Qasanov – Russian FIDE master: – It is my second visit to Nakhchivan. For the first time I brought my brother to Duzdag Physiotherapy Center for treatment. I have to say that we have seen the powerful effect of the treatment of the miraculous salt cave. Now I have come here with my mother from the Russian city of Novorossiysk to attend the festival. I can say about the tournament, here very strong chess players are fighting. Each game may change the position in the tournament table. So I'm getting ready for each meeting well. Nakhchivan city is beautiful and calm. Organizing is perfect.

Jeyhun MAMMADOV
Translator: Mubariz Sultanov