Armenian grandmaster shares details from World Cup R3 win

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian grandmaster Haik M. Martirosyan has shared his feelings after defeating World’s number six Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan, 2782) and advancing to Round 4 of the FIDE World Cup 2021.

A former under-16 world champion, and currently Armenia’s number seven player (2632), Martirosyan hailed Mamedyarov as a "very strong player".

In the first game, Mamedyarov, playing with White, sacrificed a pawn out of the opening for some compensation but Martirosyan defended well and outplayed his opponent in the endgame. Not wanting to play for a draw in the second game with White, Martirosyan went all-out for a win against Mamedyarov’s very dubious opening set-up.

In a highly complex position, his superb move 35.Kf2! blocking the f-pawn and preparing an assault on Black’s king was enough for Black to realise that he had to exchange pieces and simplify to an easily drawn rook ending.

Martirosyan also spoke about Ante Brkić of Croatia, his opponent in Round 4 and said the match was not going to be an easy one.

The top two finishers in the tournament, aside from World Champion Magnus Carlsen who is also participating, will qualify for the 2022 Candidates Tournament, in addition to winning the 110.000 USD first prize (80.000 USD for the runner-up).