"I did not expect Ian to play this opening. I had a goal just to keep it solid."
Idman.biz reports that Azerbaijani chess player Nijat Abasov said this while commenting on his game with the world vice-champion in the first round of the Candidates Tournament held in Toronto.
He considered that the match ended in a draw as a natural result. The grandmaster said that his main goal in the competition is to go step by step from game to game: "It was the first game, so I didn’t want to play sharp or dynamic. The draw was a final result for me."
Nijat clarified the question about the device attached to his leg: "Everyone told me to work on my physical shape. So I did. I played a football match and I tore my ACL. After that I had to undergo a surgery like a month ago. I am recovering. I started to work a week ago. Within a couple of weeks later it should be get rid of. I cannot say how it influences my games because I have only played one game so far. I mean it’s fine"
It should be noted that Abasov will face US representative Fabiano Caruana in the second round.
Idman.biz
