GM Levon Aronian answers your questions: Part I
From his answer to the very first question on why people play chess, it was clear that Levon Aronian’s Q&A at Crestbook was going to be an entertaining read: “For pleasure, peace of mind and the moral torture of their neighbour”. Sharp and funny, the Armenian GM lifts the lid on life at the top of the chess pyramid.
Boris Gelfand: A completely happy man
After Boris Gelfand won the Candidates Matches in Kazan he gave numerous interviews that shed light on a player who, despite having been at the top of world chess for 20 years, is perhaps still something of a mystery to chess fans. It’s time for that to change, as an Anand-Gelfand World Championship match awaits!
Gata Kamsky: I can’t play like Grischuk and Kramnik
As the press conference after the semifinals was only attended by the winners we didn’t get to hear from Gata Kamsky, but he later talked to a local newspaper. As well as discussing the games he described his approach to chess, the previous match he played against Topalov, and when he intends to retire.
Gelfand and Grischuk’s press conference
After yesterday’s dramatic tie-breaks the two winners talked to the press. Although they both made short statements in English, the most interesting comments were in Russian. Grischuk, in particular, tried to explain his time trouble and match strategy, and defended the format of the event.
Kramnik: I thought of banning castling before the 10th move
The short draw between Grischuk and Kramnik has already sparked debate and criticism, but the most interesting contributions actually came from the players themselves in the post-match press conference which, as Mark Crowther notes, was almost longer than the game itself.
Kramnik and Radjabov’s post-match press conference
After a relatively dull war of attrition, the Kramnik – Radjabov match exploded into life in the tie-breaks, and particularly the incident-packed blitz games. The post-match press conference was unmissable, but was conducted in Russian. Here then, is an English translation of what they had to say.
“I don’t consider chess a game. It’s theatre.”
Kseniya Simonova’s mesmerising sand art performance was the highlight of the opening ceremony of the 2011 Amber Chess Tournament. Afterwards, the Ukrainian artist talked about her love of chess and her impressions of Monte Carlo, a “sandbox for adults”.
GM Ruslan Ponomariov answers your questions: Part II
Ever been confused by the plethora of chess engines? Fiddled around with Microsoft’s Chess Titans? Do you find Dvoretsky’s books tough going? If so, you’ve got more in common with one super-GM than you might have thought! Ponomariov’s in-depth answers to reader questions are a must-read.