Sergey Viktorovich, how do you like the Oaks finale against American Hikaru Nakamura?
Sergey Dolmatov: Hard to talk about the quality of the parties, because in rapid chess people play bad, the number of errors exceeds the limit. In my opinion, the level was not very high from both teams. But it doesn’t matter. It’s a sport. People compete with each other. And, of course, to win this tournament, which was attended by leading players of the world, honorable. Daniel just done. Although the first day he lost in the second and third day, I believe he had an overwhelming superiority.
the experts, And opponents talked a lot about unusual, creative style of Russian. He helped to win?
Sergey Dolmatov: I think Daniel was just playing smoother, made less blunders. In rapid chess it is difficult to create any chances. However, Oaks in the opening played interesting, quite uninhibited, offered a risky option and received the advantage of time. For those of chess a good choice of strategy. In rapid it is very important to tactically use their chances completely. Nakamura is considered an expert in this, but the victory Dubov was convincing.
But the favorite was considered Nakamura…
Sergey Dolmatov: People are basically static. We do not notice as time goes on. Nakamura really won a lot of tournaments. But probably the best years, the years of his peak form for past. That doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous. Just time other grandmasters.
But Nakamura in the semifinals, knocked out of the tournament the world champion Magnus Carlsen?
Sergey Dolmatov: Yes, but Carlsen, frankly, is also experiencing problems. It can be seen. He had no such superiority, what was observed in previous years. On the other hand, the tournament was not quite rapid chess and rapid chess online, when the opponents do not see each other in person. This is a very serious specifics. Maybe in a similar format to the Norwegian harder. Oak trees are younger. From childhood he played chess, which also has a value.
Daniel always told as a promising chess player. In 2018, he won the world rapid championship, but in classic chess notable successes there. Why?
Sergey Dolmatov: the Success of Dubova in rapid classic chess have little relevance. It requires other qualities. Dubov to the world of “ten” is very far away (the Russians occupies 38-e a place in rating FIDE. – “RG”). You know, as a Sprinter and Stayer. If you are champion and world record holder for a short distance and suddenly you have a race for long, you will certainly lose.
so we Have another parallel with the swimming. To be a champion on short water is not as prestigious as long. But as in chess?
W��y Dolmatov: Classic chess has a long history and greater weight. Themselves players with great reverence for victories and titles. But time is changing. Do not be surprised if classical chess will disappear. Computer promoted the opening stage, so the game remains very small. A lot of draws. Especially at a high level. Chess players don’t like it. Analyzing more computers, not people. People have to remember a lot of different options. The element of the game disappears. Therefore, it is possible that the classical chess will disappear, there will be a world champion in a serious game of chess, and the winners of the blitz and rapid chess, by contrast, would be very cool. Cash prizes are increasing in these tournaments. And fans are interested to watch the games and matches of rapid chess. There’s been a lot of action, events, rivals, yawn, take the initiative.
Serie online-rapid tournaments with a total prize Fund of one million dollars, which came up with Carlsen, all great support players during a pandemic coronavirus.
Sergey Dolmatov: I would say a small group of players. Good that at least they earn money. However, the problem that most GMS have lost a source of income. They represented clubs, went to tournaments, but those have been cancelled. Yes, wires and other online tournaments, but with very low prize. Carlsen found a million dollars on a series of tournaments in which he participates and invites you for themselves opponents. I in any case support, I welcome his idea. They don’t take money from others. But it would be nice to have other players had the opportunity to earn. Chess is a complicated sport in the commercial sense. Only the top players get good money.
what do you think, will the online format, when sporting life will return to normal?
Sergey Dolmatov: We will have two stages and the Grand final, which broke the Oaks with his victory. But in any case it is a substitute. When will the limitations associated with the coronavirus, we will return to traditional tournaments. By the way, next week in Norway will be normal competitions on circular system. Among participants not elite, but players with a solid rating. Some precautions will probably be. But chess, like football, are beginning to return.
