Rauf Mamedov and Gunay Mammadzada triumphed in the 2025 Azerbaijani championships, claiming their seventh and third national titles, respectively.

The 2025 Azerbaijan Championships took place in the country’s capital, Baku, from February 1-14. Both open and women's competitions were knockout tournaments (2-game matches with a tiebreaker if needed) with classical time control. The total prize fund was 60,000 AZN (~$35,000 USD) for the open section and 30,000 AZN (~$17,500 USD) for the women’s section, with the champions receiving 20,000 AZN and 10,000 AZN, respectively.

Unlike in previous editions, the 2025 Open Championship boasted the strongest possible lineup, with all of Azerbaijan’s top players—including national team members—participating.

The top three seeds lived up to expectations, advancing to the semifinals, while Misratdin Iskandarov, ranked #12 at the start, caused an upset by eliminating Nijat Abasov and Aydin Suleymanli to reach the final four.

In the first semifinal, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, the tournament's rating favorite, dominated Iskandarov to secure his spot in the final. The second semifinal was a much tighter contest, with Rauf Mamedov narrowly defeating Teimour Radjabov in an Armageddon game.

The final was a match of two worthy opponents that saw a real drama at the finish.  After two classical and the first tiebreaker games were drawn, Mamedyarov blundered a rook in an equal endgame, handing the title to Mamedov.

In the bronze medal match, Iskandarov defeated Radjabov to complete the podium.

The rating favorites dominated the women’s event with the top, second, third and fifth seed advancing to the semifinals. Both matches were very close and came down to tiebreaks where Govhar Beydullayeva edged out Ulviyya Fataliyeva, while Gunay Mammadzada overcame Gulnar Mammadova.

The women’s final was equally tense–after the opponents traded blows in classical games, a tiebreaker was needed to determine the champion.

Gunay Mammadzada drew the first game with black and then instructively converted her advantage in the second-game ending to clinch the title.

In the match for third place, Gulnar Mammadova outplayed Ulviyya Fataliyeva to claim bronze.

At the closing ceremony, held shortly afterward, Chief Arbiter Lutfiyar Rustamov announced the final results. The champions were awarded medals, cups, flower bouquets, and certificates in recognition of their achievements.

Photos: Azerbaijan Chess Federation