Nidjat Mamedov

Nidjat Mamedov earned the prestigious title of International Grandmaster in 2006 and has since been recognized as a leading figure in international chess. He has represented the Azerbaijani Men’s National Team in significant competitions, including the 2000 World Chess Olympiad and the World Team Chess Championship in 2010 and 2013.

Throughout his career, Mamedov has achieved numerous notable tournament victories, including 1st place at the Bas Wiessee Open (2007), shared 1st place at the Hastings Masters (2008), 2nd place at the Enschede Open (2008), 1st place at the Azerbaijan Men’s Chess Championship (2011), 1st place at the Prague Open (2012), 1st place at the Teplice Open (2013), and 1st place at the Nakhchivan Open (2017). In 2023, he also qualified for and competed in the prestigious FIDE World Cup.

As a coach, Mamedov has an outstanding track record of mentoring champions who have achieved national and international success. His national champions include Ahmet Utku Uzumcu (1st place, 2016), Dincer Tasdogan (1st place, 2016 and 2017), Oguz Öner (1st place, 2016), Deniz Özen (3rd place, 2016; 1st place, 2018), Goktan Yilmaz (3rd place, 2016), Irem Ezra Oz (1st place, 2018), Baver Yilmaz (1st place, 2025), and Meric Aker (1st place, 2025). On the international stage, Baver Yilmaz also secured significant victories, becoming the 2022 European U10 Champion and the 2023 World School Chess Champion.

Besides the students above, Mamedov has also guided other players to significant levels, helping them reach impressive FIDE ratings and achieve prestigious titles. Notable examples include Vahap Sanal, who progressed from a 2210 FIDE rating to become a Grandmaster; Deniz Özen, who advanced from a 2100 FIDE rating to earn the International Master title; Elmar Atakishiyev, who rose from a 2200 FIDE rating to achieve the International Master title; and Akin Kizilkus, who improved from a 1600 FIDE rating to 2350, earning the FIDE Master title.

Mamedov’s impact extends beyond individual coaching through significant leadership roles:

• Head Coach of the Turkish Youth Team (2014–2016)
• Recognized as a FIDE Trainer since 2016
• Author of “64 Karenin Sırları“ (Secrets of 64 Squares), published in 2017
• Director and Head Coach of Khazar University Chess Academy (2018–2019)
• Awarded the honorary title of Honored Coach of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2019)
• Head Coach of the Grandmaster Chess Club (2019–2020)
• Published the two-part book series “Decisive Tactical Blows“ (2022)
• Coach and Captain of the Azerbaijan Women’s National Team (2022). His coaching was instrumental in Azerbaijan’s historic silver medal achievement at the 2023 European Women’s Team Chess Championship.
• Coach and Captain of the Turkish Women’s National Team (2024)
• Currently serves as the Head Coach of the Youth National Team of Azerbaijan

His coaching philosophy focuses on opening preparation, positional understanding, and dynamic play, making him a highly respected coach and mentor in the international chess community.