Sofia, Bulgaria: Nurgyul Salimova, the Bulgarian professional chess player, was presented with an honorary plaque in recognition of her outstanding performance at the World Chess Cup in Azerbaijan. She finished second, following 24-year-old Russian Aleksandra Goryachkina.
President Radev congratulated the 20-year-old girl on her incredible accomplishment and stated, “This is a success for everyone in Bulgaria. In addition to playing well, the president remarked that our athlete showed talent, intelligence, willpower, and resiliency in Baku.
Nurgyul shared her images with President Radev, receiving the honorary plaque. Nurgyul Salimova’s parents attended the “Dondukov” meeting, her coach Zhivko Zhekov, and Vasil Antonov, the 2022 chairman of the Bulgarian Chess Federation.
With the President of the Republic of Bulgaria – Rumen Radev
🇧🇬 pic.twitter.com/cqEVVZZJ30— Nurgyul Salimova (@nurgyulll1) August 28, 2023
President Rumen Radev stated that Nurgyul’s involvement “gave cause for pride and shared joy throughout Bulgaria, and the world spoke again about the Bulgarian chess school.”
Dimitar Iliev, the Minister of Sports and Youth, also congratulated Nurgyul Salimova for her success in Baku, Azerbaijan. He awarded Salimova with an honorary plaque at the MMC for her exceptional success and highlighted that she and her coach, Zhivko Zhekov, will be awarded for the achievement.
The Sports Minister said, “Nurgul, you inspire every Bulgarian! Brought us much joy and much pride. Showed great mind, heart and strength. Your achievement is exceptional; you are already a factor in world chess, and the competition must consider you.
“I congratulate you on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and wish you every title you aspire to be yours”.
During the meeting with Sports Minister Dimitar Iliev, Nurgul shared about the challenges during the Azerbaijan tournament and the following essential competitions she is preparing for.
Minister Iliev noted that during the Baku World Cup, the Bulgarian society followed Nurgul’s steps with bated breath, and her achievement put the subject of chess in the spotlight, including launching a discussion about his school study.