Sport24.az
"I consider Shahriyar Mamedyarov the favorite of the competition." Sport24.az reports that this was stated by Azerbaijani chess player Eltaj Safarli in his statement to the federation's press service regarding the national championship.
The 32-year-old grandmaster touched upon his victory over Pasha Alizadeh (2:0) in the 1/16 finals:
"It was my first game. I faced a 14-year-old opponent. It wasn't that easy. I thought it would be easier, the opponent didn't play badly. Yesterday the match could have ended in a draw. I won at the last moment."
Safarli recalled that titled chess players participated in the tournament:
"It will be very difficult. Surprise results may be recorded. I consider Shahriyar Mamedyarov the favorite. Every stage must be passed. If it doesn't work out, I take it normally. This is the strongest Azerbaijani championship in history."
