Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – "The Romantic Aggressor"
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, known as "Shakh," is an Azerbaijani Grandmaster celebrated for his aggressive and intuitive style. He is one of the few players to breach the 2820 Elo mark. This profile highlights his willingness to take risks and his ability to create tactical chaos in the quietest of positions.
🎥 Shakh Game Analysis Playlist
Frequently Asked Questions About Shakh
Who is Shakhriyar Mamedyarov?
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (born 1985) is an elite Grandmaster from Azerbaijan. He is the only two-time World Junior Champion in history and a fixture in the world's top 10 for over a decade.
Why is he called a "Romantic"?
Like the masters of the 19th century, Shakh values initiative over material. He is willing to play objectively "worse" positions if they offer chaos and attacking chances against the enemy King.
How strong is he?
At his peak in 2018, he had a rating of 2820, making him the 6th highest-rated player in the entire history of chess.
Did he challenge for the World Championship?
He came very close. In the 2018 Candidates Tournament, he finished 2nd behind Fabiano Caruana, narrowly missing the chance to play Magnus Carlsen for the title.
🔥 20 Highlights of Mamedyarov's Career
1. World Rapid Champion (2013)
He won the World Rapid Championship in Khanty-Mansiysk, dominating a field of the world's best with his quick tactical vision.
2. Peak Rating 2820
He joined the exclusive "2800 Club" and soared to World #2, proving that aggressive chess can still succeed at the highest level.
3. Two-Time World Junior Champion
He is the only male player in history to win the World Junior Championship twice (2003 and 2005).
4. The "h4" Trademark
Mamedyarov is famous for pushing his h-pawn early in the opening (often move 3, 4, or 5) to create immediate complications.
5. Candidates 2018 Runner-Up
He played the best chess of his life in the 2018 Candidates, finishing second and pushing Caruana to the very end.
6. Biel 2018 Winner
He crushed the Biel Grandmaster Tournament, defeating reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen in their individual encounter.
7. Three Olympiad Golds (Team)
He led the Azerbaijan national team to Gold Medals at the European Team Championships (2009, 2013, 2017).
8. Tal Memorial Winner
Fittingly for a tactical player, he won the 2014 Tal Memorial Blitz tournament.
9. Shamkir Chess Winner (Twice)
He won the prestigious Shamkir Chess (Gashimov Memorial) in his home country two times (2016, 2017), beating heavyweights like Caruana and So.
10. Grand Prix Winner
He won the 2017 FIDE Grand Prix series, which qualified him for his successful Candidates run.
11. The Alekhine Defense
He is one of the few elite GMs brave enough to play the Alekhine Defense in classical games.
12. Creativity
His game against Dubov (2020) featured a wild King walk in the middlegame, showcasing his refusal to follow standard patterns.
13. A Chess Family
His sisters, Zeinab and Turkan Mamedyarova, are also Woman Grandmasters, making them one of the strongest chess families in the world.
14. High Win Rate
In his prime, Mamedyarov had one of the highest "decisive game" percentages in the elite, rarely agreeing to short draws.
15. Victory at Wijk aan Zee (B)
Early in his career, he dominated the B-group at Tata Steel, scoring 10.5/13 to qualify for the masters.
16. Intuition over Calculation
He often plays moves that "look" dangerous without calculating every line to the end, putting immense psychological pressure on opponents.
17. Open Tournaments
Unlike many Super GMs who only play closed events, Shakh famously plays in massive Open tournaments (like the Dubai Open), trusting his skill to beat lower-rated players.
18. Best Game Prizes
He has won countless "brilliancy prizes" for his sacrificial victories.
19. Friendly Personality
Despite his aggressive style on the board, he is known as one of the friendliest and most smiling players on the circuit.
20. The "Baku" Legacy
He continues the legacy of Baku (Kasparov's birthplace) as a city that produces aggressive World Champions.