2024-04-30 12:44:16
Ulviya Fataliyeva, who won the gold medal at the Women’s European Chess Championship, held on the Greek island of Rhodes, gave an interview to the official website of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation.
As reported by İdman.biz, she commented on her victory.
– The European Women’s Individual Chess Championship has been held since 2000. With this victory, you went down in history as the first Azerbaijani chess player to win a gold medal at the European Championship. What are your impressions?
– Believe me, it’s difficult for me to explain my joy in words. I am very happy. I am very glad that we saw the results of the training. I would like to thank all the people who supported me during the continental championship. The European Championships were very intense. There were no games without excitement; in each round there was a certain excitement.
– What is the secret of Ulvia’s composure during the championship?
– I felt comfortable in this tournament. I tried not to give vent to my feelings. Because one mistake could prevent my dream from coming true. Intensive training played a big role in my successful performance at continental competitions. Thanks to all the coaches for your support. I can’t help but mention the name of coach Evgeniy Tomashevsky, who worked with me. And, of course, I am grateful to Mahir Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation. The Federation’s leadership regularly shows interest in our training and attracts experienced trainers. I’m glad I lived up to their hopes.
– In which round was the most difficult game?
– After the 8th round there was excitement. There were 2 rounds left before the end of the European Championship. I was ahead of my closest pursuer by 1 point. I was excited when I thought about the last tours. Suddenly an error occurs and the situation in the standings changes. I really wanted to finish the championship in first place.
– You won a bronze medal at the 2022 European Championships. You have become the champion of 2024. What has changed in two years?
– Before, before competitions, I only thought about winning. When there was no result, it naturally had a bad effect. So, I was thinking about the tournament I went to. Now I’m thinking bigger. In training, I am focused on all competitions in the future. If it doesn’t work out in one tournament, it will work out in another. After the bronze medal in 2022, I wondered if I could turn the medal into a gold award. I dreamed. Believe, sometimes a person believes in himself, sometimes he doesn’t. My dream has now come true.
– What needs to be done to make your dream come true?
– Everyone remembers the situation during the pandemic in 2020. Everything was closed. In those days when I was preparing, I dreamed. When I went to Greece, I wanted and dreamed of a championship. Now I have realized my dream. I didn’t give any space to my feelings, I tried to win every round, enjoying chess.
– Can this victory help the Azerbaijani team at the World Chess Olympiad in September?
– The Continental Championship is not over yet, the last round games are currently underway. The number of our medals in the European individual championship can be large. My teammate Gunay Mammadzadeh has a chance to be among the winners. As for the Olympic Games, our women’s chess team tries to please chess fans at every competition. I think that winning the European Championship can help each of our chess players.
– To whom do you dedicate the championship?
– Winning the continental championship was my dream. This success can help young people who dream. It is useful to dream about great success in life. You just need to believe in yourself. Sometimes it seems that achieving serious goals is difficult. You must continue to believe and fight. Thank you all.
İdman.biz