GM Radjabov (2744) – GM Ivanchuk (2781) [D20]
Bilbao Grand Slam, 04.09.2008
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 e5 4.Nf3 exd4 5.Bxc4 Bb4+ 6.Nbd2 Nc6 7.0–0 Nf6 8.e5 Nd5 9.a3 Be7 10.Qb3 Na5 11.Qa4+ Nc6 12.Nxd4 Nb6 13.Nxc6 Nxa4 14.Nxd8 Bxd8 15.f4 Nb6 16.Ba2 Be6 17.Ne4 Bxa2 18.Rxa2 f5 19.Nc5 Rb8 20.b4 c6 21.g4 Nd5 22.Ne6 Rg8 23.Rg2 Bb6+ 24.Kh1 Ne7 25.Bb2 g6 26.h3 h6 27.Re1 Nd5 28.gxf5 Kf7 29.Nd4 Bxd4 30.Bxd4 gxf5 31.e6+ Ke7 32.Bc5+ Kf6 33.Bd4+ Ke7 34.Bc5+ Kf6 35.Bd4+ Game drawn ½–½
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When asked about live outside of chess, Radjabov said he attends university, plays tennis and ping pong. He also has many friends and a girlfriend, so he thinks he is like any normal person.
When asked how is chess in Baku? He said that the situation now is very good in Baku. He said that he and Mamedyarov are in the top 10. They have help on the state level. The president of his country supports chess.
Azerbaijan had success in the European team chess championship and they took 3rd place. The president of the federation is also president of a bank and gives support. So the players have big support.
When I asked what kind of help, salary or free coaching?
He said that there is stipend from the Azerbaijan Olympic committee, and the federation gives money. They also get help from other committees as well. But of course it is not free money or easy, they have to work to earn this.
When asked how many can make a living in chess in Azerbaijan, he said that players have to travel to make a living since there are not enough big events in Azerbaijan.
When asked how many would receive salaries? For example, Hungary at one time had over 300 players on salary, how about Azerbaijan?
He did not know the answer. He said that he only concentrates in chess and the VP of chess federation is in Bilbao, he can better answer this. He jokes that he is not very good with statistics.
Great!!!
Congratulations.