GM Gadir Guseinov

For Round 1 of the World Chess Cup 2009 which will take place in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia from 20th November to 15th December, Philippines' No.1 chess star GM Wesley So will face GM Gadir Guseinov of Azerbaijan.

Well, Guseinov is not a very much publicized player but I think he has all the credentials to provide a tough opposition against our very own GM So.

Let's have a closer look on Guseinov's profile:

Rating: 2625 (November 2009)
Highest rating reached:2667(September 2009)
Age: 23
World ranking: 130
National ranking (Azerbia): 5
European ranking: 108
Earned IM title at the age of 13
Earned GM title at the age of 16

GAME STATISTICS (FIDE DATA)

Games With White
White Win: 75
White Draw: 36
White Lost: 6

Games With Black
Black Win: 40
Black Draw: 56
Black Lost: 16

Notably, Guseinov has been used to play against world class players like GMs Kramnik, Radjabov, Dreev, Shirov, etc. To overemphasize it, Guseinov has been in the company of real, strong players.

Simply watching the following notable games of Guseinov will give you an impression that indeed GM So will face a tough opposition against Guseinov:






Here are Guseinov's recent games. These were played at the 3rd International Chess Festival "President's Cup, 2008" in Baku, Azerbaijan. If I'm not mistaken, Guseinov finished this event tied from No.1 to No.8 with 7.0 points in the company of GM Nigel Short and other strong GMs.(Knowing that former World Champion GM Garry Kasparov was from Azerbaijan gives Guseinov that fearsome factor.)





This early, GM So should use all his resources, time, and talent to prepare against Guseinov. Looking past Guseinov at this stage is a big mistake.

Order of battle: BEAT GUSEINOV IN ROUND 1.

To GMs So, Rogelio Antonio, and Darwin Laylo, good luck to all of you. The nation prays for you.