Ivanchuk: “I could have become a writer”
Vassily Ivanchuk’s recent interview with the Ukrainian daily newspaper “Den” isn’t your standard chess interview. In fact, Ivanchuk doesn’t talk about current chess events at all, instead displaying a deep interest in literature while also explaining, for instance, why Julius Caesar would have considered chess players happy.
Birth of a Supernova: Vasiliev reports from Wijk aan Zee
Hikaru Nakamura’s tournament victory was described as “the birth of a supernova” by Yury Vasiliev in two final reports from the Tata Steel 2011 Tournament. The Russian journalist was on the ground in Wijk aan Zee to provide photo reports and comments from players and observers throughout the event.
Mikhail Tal and contemporary chess
Moscow’s Tal Memorial honours Mikhail Tal, the “Magician from Riga”, who blazed a path to win the World Championship half a century ago this year. Recalling those days, and how chess has changed since, has been a theme of Ilya Odessky’s tournament reports.
Shirov interviewed at Crestbook
A full English translation of Alexei Shirov’s answers to reader questions at Crestbook has just been published. The Latvian firebrand is asked about chess tactics and openings but also, for instance, about “the most important thing in a woman”.
Grischuk interviewed at Crestbook
Alexander Grischuk, one of the most interesting characters at the top of world chess, responded to reader questions at Crestbook. Topics included his preference for blitz and rapid chess, his other career as a poker player… and almost everything else under the sun.
Kramnik: For now Magnus is my “client”
Fresh from his smooth win in Bilbao, Vladimir Kramnik gave an interview where he talked about the situation at the top in world chess, Magnus Carlsen’s recent loss of form, and his own hopes of regaining the top spot on the rating list.
Shirov on missing his chance to win Wijk
In mutual time trouble in a crazy position Dominguez gave Shirov a chance to land a winning blow – and tie for first place in the tournament. But with seconds remaining Shirov agreed to a draw.
Shirov on a roll at Wijk
Vasiliev’s second report on Wijk 2010 at Chesspro included Shirov’s comments on his three wins.
Nuclear physics on the side
Życie Warszawy (“Warsaw Life”) has an interview with Vladimir Malakhov, who won the 9th Amplico Life rapid tournament with 11.5/13.
Highlights from extratime.az’s World Cup coverage
Eljanov on Ukrainian players wanting to abandon their federation and Shirov’s unusual training methods, Gashimov on “incorrect” Chinese chess, and more: the Azerbaijan site was on hand to report a lot of interesting material from the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk.
