Almost 2,000 chess players are participating in the RSSU Cup, 2017 Moscow Open. Young talents and experienced grandmasters have arrived in the capital of Russia to struggle for the prizes. Today we’ve decided to talk to the most titled participant of the festival – Gata Kamsky, playing in the Men’s Cup of Russia tournament.
- Hello, Gata! You’re playing in the Moscow open for the first time. How do you like it here?
- Yes, I’m playing in the Moscow Open for the first time but of course I’ve heard much of it. Last year I was playing in Gibraltar, so I couldn’t come to Moscow. Now I’ve decided to play here. Besides, the organizers provide good conditions, and special thanks go to them for this.
Quite strong young players are playing in this tournament. A day before yesterday one of them started to exchange all pieces from the debut that resulted in a quick draw. I wasn’t much frustrated as a draw when you play with black is quite a good result. Theoretically of course it’s better to gain as many points as possible from the early beginning while playing in such tournaments. For example, last year in the Aeroflot Open Evgeniy Najer won four games in a row and then played to the draw in the last five games, and still won the first place.
- In recent years you’ve been playing for the Lad’ya club from Kazan. Tell us about it.
- Yes, I’ve been playing several years for this team. Last year we were playing the Team Championship of Russia in Sochi, and then the Eurocup in Novi Sad. Thought the men’s team was composed quite strong players, we didn’t count on medals in the Eurocup. Last year our women’s team participated in the Eurocup for the first time. It was pleasant that our female part of the club could have all the chances to win medals if the circumstances were more favorable to them. The trip itself was very interesting. We were playing in Novi Sad (Serbia – editorial remark), the city that today looks like Russia in the 90s of the last century. However, we, chess players, are used to it. We are ready to play in any conditions.
- Do you plan to participate in other Russian competitions, in the Aeroflot Open for example?
- I haven’t thought of the participation in this tournament yet as when it is over, there will be only three weeks left before the start of the Championship of America. For example, Wesley So who has just won the super tournament in Wijk aan Zee said he would rest for two months before the Championship as the title of the American Champion still doesn’t belong to him. Probably I have to do the same and prevent him from winning this title.
- Did you receive a personal invitation to the USA Championship?
- Twenty players participate in the Championship. Eight of them are qualified according to the ranking, the last year Champion (Fabiano Caruana – editorial remark), winner of the National Junior Championship and winners of open tournaments are also eligible. I’m very glad to be in the number of these eight players. The struggle to the 6-8 places is really very serious, all the claimants have almost equal ranking positions. Besides, my rivals now have a new star – Jeffery Xiong. He’s very strong and talented. It will be very interesting to watch young players struggling.
- Thank you for an interesting conversation! Wish you all the best!
Alina Bivol asked the questions