Chessvine.com - Interviews

Chess Was Brought To Earth By Aliens

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 12:57:44 -0400

okayyy ... I was reading this article from The Independent and in an interview FIDE President Kirsan Illyumzhinov is descibed as saying:

"You do realise ... that chess is a 'cosmic game'? Excavations have shown that chess was played with similar rules, in various continents, centuries ago ... There was no internet before, so how did it get across the world? It means that it was brought from somewhere."

I am tempted to think that chess was brought here by aliens just to mess with our puny human brains but I think when I finally decide to run fro FIDE president I'm not going to admit it ... it just seems smarter.

Topalov's Manager (Silvio Danailov): The Fine Point

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:51:09 -0400

"You should read his letter more carefully. It does not say that Topalov refuses to play in Russia. He’ll be in Khanty-Mansiysk for the Olympiad and will represent Bulgaria on board one. Topalov is refusing to play a match against a Russian player in Russia, if that match is connected with the [World Championship] title. The chances of Topalov meeting a Russian player in Kazan aren’t high, since for that both would need to get to the final – though it’s a possibility.

In general we were really outraged that the proposal to move the matches to Kazan were presented suddenly, at the last moment. FIDE kept the candidacy a secret. They have long known that there was a problem with Baku, because of Aronian, and that it was impossible to resolve. An international federation with self-respect should have opened up bidding for running the Candidates Matches in another city. Incidentally Sofia could have offered a million dollars. Where is the problem?

But, like magicians, they produced the Kazan candidacy “from up their sleeve” at the last moment, and now they say: this is where you’ll play. At the same time they are holding on to the wildcard nominee from Baku, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. It is absurd! If the matches are run in Russia then the nominee should be from Russia. What has Azerbaijan got to do with it?"

Source: Chessbase

Pogonina.com Interviews GM Alexander Khalifman

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:22:56 -0400

When I was first pointed in the direction of this article I wasn't hessitant to read or recommend it because I know that articles on pogonina.com are generally well thought out and informative. I don't know who was involved with making the interview with GM Khalifman possible (i.e. if the interviewer was Natalia or Peter) but I thank them for publishing it!

I want you to click the link above and go there and read the full article for yourself but I did wanna share this insightful response that Khalifman gave:

Q: Unless it is is a secret, what computers do you use when analyzing (e.g. writing books)? Supercomputers or regular PCs + super GM skills?
Of course, it would have been nice to check some variations on a supercomputer. Alas, I don't quite understand where and how to arrange that. So, purchasing every year a brand new model that will soon become one of many seems irrational to me. Therefore, I am working on a rather ordinary computer, trying to substitute the shortcomings of computer "brains" with my own.

Think for yourself and you'll improve tremendously.

WIM Carolina Blanco On Chess Improvement

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:36:00 -0400

Pogonina Interview Segment (In Russian)

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:02:48 -0400

Natalia Pogonina Interview For Sport.ru

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:21:45 -0400

On her blog Natalia Pogonina has posted an article from her sport.ru live online interview. Viwewers could send their questions and her answers were happily published real-time.

From that interview I'd like to point out a few interesting answers:

Q: Whom were you rooting for at the World Championship? Why? (Traglodit)

A: I can't say I was actively rooting for someone, but I like Topalov's agressive and risky style.

This answer made me giggle for one basic reason. I was rooting for Anand the entire match. I think Natalia just had to be different from me.

Q: Do you like clubs and hanging out? (Oleg Haliulin)

.A: Rarely visit them, I am not a fan of clubbing.

Only in chess would such a question be asked in an open forum. Why is it we suffer such peculiarities?

Q: If you became FIDE President, what would you change? (Andrey Santalov)

A: Stabilize the World Championship cycle. Find respectable sponsors. Promote chess in the media, including TV and Internet. Expanding the geography of top events. Serious and constant work connected with the support of developing (in the chess sense) countries. Becoming part of the Olympics. Changing the rating system.

I like all of these ideas (well, actually the last two I really have no opinion of because it doesn't seem to matter all that much). I think if she were running for office i'd probably be singing her praises right now but, alas, to my knowledge she isn't a candidate ... it just goes to show that those who are most interested in what's good for chess are busy playing.

Natalia, I know you or Peter are gonna read this so here's my personal message to you: A very well answered interview altogether. Steering clear of those questions that really had no place and being prepared for the obvious (women in chess, having a family) questions. And most importantly, staying far away from the political questions. At any rate, it's always good to hear from you and you're doing all the right things to publicize yourself on the internet. I'd like to think I've helped pave the way for chess professionals to use the internet as a marketting tool but people like yourself deserve all the credit for having the sense to latch onto the idea and run with it!

That's it folks. There's no more of my commentary for the day. Go play some good chess.

2010 FIDE Election Article Links

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:51:52 -0400

Check out the recent article from Chessbase for a little unbridled journalism. I found here several articles I had been unable to locate so you should find it helpful in sorting out your opinion on the upcoming FIDE election as well.

New Blogroll Item: Greg's Chess Progress

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Sat, 15 May 2010 09:55:02 -0400

Check out the adventures of Greg Delaney as he discovers the wonders of chess (with the help of trainer Yelena Dembo) ... Greg's Chess Progress

Great Anand Interview By "The Hindu"

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Thu, 13 May 2010 11:39:12 -0400

Highlights from Chessbase:

On the match strategy: In one sense, I think, I misjudged him. He made certain changes during the match. One of the things we assumed was, he always likes moving around in matches. This means, he'll play an opening for a couple of games and then move on to the next one. His match strategy in the past was never to stand his ground. Kind of hit-and-run strategy. So, whether consciously or sub-consciously, we had made this assumption the basis of our preparation. But he stood his ground. He did not switch his openings. We started having problem in the second half because we were thin in the areas he had concentrated on. And we ourselves were doing the hitting and running. So there was some coping there.

In terms of the opening preparation, we made some bad calls. The team did some excellent work but in a match it is not about excellent work but making the right judgement call. If you prepare something and it does not get played, it is not much use. So in that sense, he did surprise me.

On dealing with the loss in the opening game: It was one of those ridiculous moments that you are not supposed to have but it happens. The only thing I told myself was if it had to happen, it is best to happen in the first round. You still have time to recover. I knew it would be a long match. I was not worried at that point. But it was the worst possible start to the match.

On winning Game 2 and 4: Topalav was plucky. He was doing a fine job out of the opening but made a mistake. I pounced and made some very accurate moves. I mean, technically, it is still difficult but I managed to wrap it up in some six or seven moves from this point. I thought it was efficient. Game 2 was important because it helped me equalise.

On the final game: I think Topalov took a big gamble. Now it seems obvious to me that this gamble was wrong. I realised he missed my queen move but still, when my bishop is on the big diagonal like that, and to allow me to open it, he took the decision very late.

Full Story

Vishy Anand On Aljazeera

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:46:29 -0400

From: Chessbase

"This episode of One on One was aired from Saturday, April 11, 2009. It has been posted in two parts on YouTube and on the Al Jazeera web site. In in Vishy Anand describes very frankly and in a relaxed atmosphere his career in chess. Star Jazeera reporter Riz Khan contributes wonderfully to the flow of the interview."

Run along over there and check it out! Go Anand!

Magnus Carlsen Denies Brilliance

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:29:06 -0400

SPIEGEL: Mr Carlsen, what is your IQ?

CARLSEN: I have no idea. I wouldn't want to know it anyway. It might turn out to be a nasty surprise. ... I am a totally normal guy. My father is considerably more intelligent than I am. ...

SPIEGEL: You became a grandmaster at the age of 13 years, four months and 27 days; and there has never been a younger number one than you before. What is that due to, if not to your intelligence?

CARLSEN: I'm not saying that I am totally stupid. But my success mainly has to do with the fact that I had the opportunity to learn more, more quickly. It has become easier to get hold of information.

For his humility I give him even more praise! (Source: Susan's Blog)

Anand Interview For TelegraphIndia

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:18:43 -0400

“The only person you enjoy playing is the one who loses to you”

VISWANATHAN ANAND WORKS THE KEYBOARD TO TELL T2 WHAT MAKES HIM THE CHAMPION OF THE CHESS BOARD

Why did you decide to take up chess?

When I was about six, I saw my elder siblings play chess and pestered my mother into teaching me. Very soon, I was beating everyone at home and they thought it would be good to join a club. So my sister would take me to the Tal chess club on Thursdays and weekends. At the club we had a Sunday blitz where you stayed on if you won or joined a group and waited your turn. I got quite good in playing blitz and would end up playing for hours. Somewhere there people saw that I had talent. When I became national champion after an unbelievable performance, I became recognised as a chess talent. I would say it was only after I finished university that I more or less became professional. By then I was playing all the top events and had entered the World Championship cycle.

What have the positives and negatives of taking up chess been for you?

Chess has given me a lot more than I could ask for. I have been able to feel special, travel the world and do what I truly enjoy. Moreover, chess players love being their own boss and hate having to wake up early!

I guess you travel for so many events that your life is dictated by your performance and events and maybe you can’t be home for a festival or birthday of a relative.

Who have your chess idols been?

Fischer and Tal.

[For those readers who don’t know their bishop from their knight, American Bobby Fischer was a world chess champion widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time and Mikhail Tal of Latvia was a Grandmaster and the eighth world chess champion.]

Who or what would you attribute your success in the game to?

Hard work and staying clear of chess politics.

What are the key mental attributes needed to take up chess as a sport?

Like any activity, you have to first enjoy it. Chess as a sport requires a lot of mental stamina and this is what that makes it different from a physical sport. Chess players have a unique ability of taking in a lot of information and remembering relevant bits. So, memory and mental stamina are the key attributes.

I would say most youngsters should actually play a lot more, be it among themselves at the school level. As you play, you will notice the mistakes you make and learn from them. In my personal experience, we used to play blitz regularly at the Tal chess club. This was excellent in getting experience in the technique of play. I think my innate talent to play fast comes from there.

Source: Susan's Blog

Interview With Kasparov Talking About Carlsen.

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 06:43:00 -0400

Kasparov and Carlsen Alter Strategy for 2010

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:20:00 -0500

The cooperation between Garry Kasparov, arguably the greatest chess player in history, and Magnus Carlsen, one of its greatest talents, began early last year. The results came faster than anyone had expected: Magnus was number one in the last two world rankings. Now the work between the two takes a new direction, with Magnus making all career decisions on his own. Press release.

Garry Kasparov: “Magnus is one of the greatest natural talents I have encountered in chess, and his recent performance has exceeded even my very high expectations. Our time together – our training camp sessions – has been deeply invigorating for me as well. It was because of these sessions that I felt confident to play the anniversary match against Anatoly Karpov in Valencia last September – with good results, I might add. It was also very gratifying for me to see Magnus climb to the world’s number one position well ahead of our original schedule. Magnus has shown the deadly instincts of a great champion. During his tournaments, when we spoke about upcoming games, Magnus always wanted to play the sharpest and most dangerous continuations, an illustration of his increased confidence in his powers. Our work together during the past year in Croatia, Oslo and Marrakesh gave him a great deal of ‘ammunition’ which, even when it was not used, helped him go into battle with the indispensable belief that he should expect to win every time he comes to the board. I see a great future for this extraordinary player.”

Source: Chessbase

Karpov Announces FIDE President Candidacy

nospam@example.com (ColonelCrockett) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:59:59 -0500

“It is necessary to restore order,” Karpov was quoted. “The problems with the World Championship, the calendar, changes of decisions, changes during a cycle, this didn’t happen before. Besides, the prestige of the World Champion should return to its old level.”

Source: Chessvibes