Sixth Heydar Aliyev Trophy Memorial Tournament: Grandmaster Nikita Petrov Claims Victory

The sixth edition of the memorial rapid chess tournament, “Heydar Aliyev Trophy,” was held on 10 May 2025 at the Portonovi Conference Center, bringing together prominent chess players from Montenegro and the broader region. The tournament honors the legacy of Heydar Aliyev, former President of Azerbaijan (1993–2003), a visionary leader who played a crucial role in shaping the modern Azerbaijani state and was a well-known supporter of culture, education, and chess.

The event was organized by the Azerbaijan-Montenegro Cultural and Economic Centre, with the support of Azmont Investments, and in cooperation with the Montenegrin Chess Federation and the Chess Club "Prosvjeta." This collaboration highlights a continued effort to foster cultural and sporting connections between Montenegro and Azerbaijan. As in previous years, the tournament took place in Portonovi, a luxury resort developed by Azmont Investments — a company with Azerbaijani roots and a strong commitment to Montenegro’s development.

This year’s tournament gathered 39 players, including 2 Grandmasters, 3 International Masters, and 5 FIDE Masters, who competed in a nine-round Swiss-system format, with a time control of 10 minutes plus a 5-second increment per move.

After intense rounds of play, Grandmaster Nikita Petrov secured first place with 7.5 points, narrowly edging out four-time champion GM Nikola Đukić, who also scored 7.5 points but placed second based on tiebreaks. The third place went to International Master Blažo Kalezić, with 7 points.

The tournament featured ten regular prizes and four special awards recognizing the best-performing youth, veteran, female player, and the top competitor from Chess Club Prosvjeta.

Chief Arbiter Luka Lješković oversaw the competition, ensuring smooth and fair play throughout the day. Reflecting on the event’s significance, Seyran Mirzazada, tournament director and representative of Azmont Investments, remarked:

“This tournament not only commemorates a great leader from our homeland but also promotes values of strategic thinking, friendship, and cultural exchange. We are proud to see it become a tradition in Montenegro for the sixth year in a row.”

Participants once again praised the high-quality organization and the welcoming environment of Portonovi — a unique venue that has become synonymous with this event’s growing prestige. With its expanding reputation and high level of play, the Heydar Aliyev Trophy continues to grow as a notable tradition in the regional chess calendar.