After two rounds 24 participants show a 100% result in the RSSU Chess Cup main tournament – The Moscow Open Cup of Russia. We have decided to talk to one of the ranking favorites of the tournament Vladislav Artemiev.

- Vladislav, how is everything going on for you in this tournament?

- I won the first two games with confidence, but I believe it’s too early to make any conclusions. Only two rounds are over and everything is just about to start for me.

- Why did you decide to participate in the Moscow Open and not in the tournament in Gibraltar, for example?

- Honestly, I didn’t even think of Gibraltar. If I have a chance to play in my country I’m always trying to use it. Besides, the Moscow Open can be proud of strong participants as usually, and I think I can be advanced in the ranking list if I play successfully.

- Do you feel more comfortable playing in Russia than abroad?

- Of course it’s more comfortable to play in Russia. However, sometimes I have to go abroad, it depends on the circumstances. Now I’ve decided to play in my homeland.

- Where do you study?

- Last September I started my education in the Povolzhsky Academy of Sport, Physical Culture and Tourism. I get pedagogical education there. Now I’m in the first course, and I passed only one exam session.

- Whom are you working with now?

- Until recently I was working with Pavel Maletin, but at the moment I’m working on my own.

- Did anybody surprise you in this tournament? How could they do it?

- In the first round my opponent surprised me a little bit by choosing the English attack as an opening and repeating the moves. Then I was able to sharpen the game successfully (everything started from 8….Qb6), and that really surprised me.

- Who is the main favorite of the tournament, in your opinion?

- I believe that any person having one of the first starting numbers can win the tournament if the circumstances are lucky for him, including me as well. In principle, any player with the ranking of 2,300 can disappoint any grandmaster with 2,600 in any single game, as now everybody has chess base and the preparation process is aimed to a particular opponent. Other aspects are brought to the foreground, such as the moral spirit, psychological approach, motivation.
The favorites will be defined by the seventh round, now I can’t give any exact names.

- Thank you, Vladislav. I wish you success!

Alina Bivol was asking questions