With the chess Federation of Russia and with the support of the Ministry of sports for eight grandmasters gathered about 25 million roubles for medical aid, who are fighting against coronavirus in their regions. He Defeated Alexander Grischuk. But it is not in busy places: the prize pool in equal shares will go to combat the virus in the regions. The tournament was not even “charity”. It is rather “tournament noble.” The Russian Fair Play Committee, which determines its winners at the end of December each year, was in grandmasters on the note.
Vladimir Borisovich, how did you get the idea to organize such a tournament?
Vladimir Kramnik: Follow the events in the world with pain. Constant communication with family in my Tuapse, and know everything that is happening in the Krasnodar region. Called to the city hospital where lie sick, talked with the chief physician. Everything is done that can and should be. But lacking, as not enough have become the shortage of masks, medicines in Spain, Italy, USA, here in Switzerland. And I wonder about what can you do. And I understand not very much. And we guys got the idea. Very glad that she was able to realize in a short time.
Everything went fine. But you’re still very upset with quite different: last year . You – 44. Why so early? You – 14-th world champion, and all was well.
Vladimir Kramnik: Everything was fine. Just before I started and at age 17 entered the world top ten. But a long career is the voltage. I suspect that is not going your whole life to play professionally. When I felt – it is hard to withstand this constant stress, somehow lost the freshness of perception, I chose a moment. Other reasons were not. Another thing is that tournaments are not professional, short formats, which do not occupy a lot of time and don’t waste a lot of energy, I’m ready to play two, maybe three times a year. And tournament “Team Russia” charity.
You played so great, that perhaps you’ve flashed: to go back?
Vladimir Kramnik: No, not at all, because a serious classical chess is six hours of play and constant daily work. Blitz can somehow play, there is a base – specific level, and not spend so much effort to prepare. To play chess is mediocre I’m not interested. And if it is good, it requires full dedication and everything, absolutely all the time. This motivation is already there. Return to the tournament and enjoyed playing with the guys and play again and again. Even it became sad that it ended.
you used to live in Paris.
Vladimir Kramnik: Was the case. Already five years in Geneva.
You said that you suspected that you will not like a Pro to play chess all my life. What now?
Vladimir KRAmnik: There are many projects in the field of artificial intelligence, technologies. A little coaching. There are a couple of business cases, for example in the field of education. A year has passed, conduct the work in several directions, and when there will be something global and ambitious, maybe switch to one. Over the last couple of months because of all coronavirus paused. Must have been published in the journal of one work, but the company, which is engaged in, decided to wait until the summer.
Now, not being in the game, you may look at the chess abstractly. Is there any experience that today’s chess is not quite like what is on at the time so the champion you played?
Vladimir Kramnik: Everything changes in this world. Why not to change chess? They are a little bit more. Computers have changed a lot. If people played and understood very well the game, is often provided him with good results. Now it’s not so simple. In a sense, the three qualities a good memory, the ability to keep a high concentration during the whole party and persistent work have become very, very important. In my opinion, some of whose chess level is much higher, today’s results are about the same with chess players, the level they inferior. Before, anyway, about chess didn’t know a lot, and had it play over the Board. Now this feature has narrowed slightly, to beat the opponent became more difficult, and due to the concentration, if you want, even physical training to win and those who you stronger. Yes, chess has changed, it is neither good nor bad. This is normal. Still, I think, a lot of interesting parties.
will be Held after the pandemic such an interest in chess as it is now?
Vladimir Kramnik: I Hope he will grow – the chess game is interesting. It is clear that unlike other sports, we are now in a privileged position. Have the opportunity to play tournaments.
Thank you for the conversation.
Vladimir Kramnik: wait, Wait. Yes, indeed, only come to life. Tired. Difficult to nerve cells when playing in seconds. But enjoyed it and managed to hold the tournament without a hitch, I call, write, thank you. It’s nice that the tournament was a benefit. Will transfer all the money to health facilities. The main thing was to help. There is another idea. We studied the situation. It is complex, unpredictable, some, and around the world, criticized the authorities for lack of protective equipment. This is a real difficulty that requires a quick solution. Allow me through your newspaper to appeal to the regional business. Sometimes these private money raised to help the doctors in a few days to solve the problem. The charity now needed. L��bye the amounts collected and quickly sent to the point where there was flash, only the right physicians. Especially in the Outback, and how in a vast country of cities and towns far from the city center. The doctors at the front, they really go for it. No money is not small, not extra. The question is about human lives. And local businessmen, but all who can be of great help, do it immediately and decisively.
Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik was born in 1975 in Tuapse. In 1991, he became the grandmaster. It is the “classical” world champion in 2000-2006, 14-th world chess champion (2006-2007), world Cup winner (2013). In the Russian team three-time winner of World chess Olympiads (1992, 1994, 1996), winner of a team championship of Europe (1992) and the world (2013). In January last year announced his retirement.
