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ΚΚ. Firstly, we would like to congratulate you
for the amazing results you had in the Olympiad of Spain..
VI. Thank you very much.
KK. Well, would you like to tell us some words
about the level of this world youth championships?
VI. I haven’t really studied hard the games played these 3 first
rounds but I’m sure that the level is very high. There are excellent
young talented players that are playing here. For this reason I’m sure
that the fight for the medals will last till the ultimate round.
KK Can you name some of them according to your
opinion?
VI. There are many players, for example Muzychuk Anna and Kuzubov and
many others.
KK What about the rest of the talents that aren’t
here like Karjakin, Volokitin, Carlsen? Can they enter the elite of the
world in the near future?
VI. No doubt there are very big talents; the future will show us how
far they can go.
KK Please tell me some words about the level of
the organization of the world youth championships.
VI It is really wonderful. Everything it is arranged fine, the
players have all the necessary conditions in order to be concentrated in
the best way for their games. I’m really very satisfied.
KK. And about Greece in general?
VI It’s really a wonderful place, your country. Greece in general and
Crete in particular are really very beautiful places.
KK Can you recall how many times you have been
here?
VI My first time was in the chess Olympiad in 1988 and after that I
have come many times.
KK. Well, now, I would like to ask a very common
question, probably you have been called to answer it several times… So,
there is a lot of discussion about “the best of the best” player in the
world. Do you believe that after the finish of the match between Kramnik
and the winner of the match Kasparov-Kazimdzhanov we will finally have a
champion? A player that has really proved to be in the best shape this
period?
VI First of all, I expect the match between Kasparov-Kazimdzhanov.
Although Kasparov claims to be the favorite I believe that there will be
played very interesting games and I’m really eager to see this match. As
far as the winner of this couple is concerned, I have my doubts because
Kramnik didn’t actually win the match against Leko, it was even. So, I
don’t really understand this.
KK Do you believe that Leko played better in this
match?
VI I can surely tell this about the middle of the match, there Leko
played better. But I can’t really understand why in the remaining games
he gave so easily draws with white. I didn’t really agree with this
strategy. Of course, I have to say that the last game was an excellent
performance by Kramnik who won demonstrating a very fine technique.
KK. So, we can say that Kramnik played better the
“endgame” of the match.
VI. That’s right.
KK. I believe that your target is to reach the top.
VI. Yes.
KK But you have already reached so high. So the
question is: Does the quality of your games weigh more than the result?
VI I’m working very very hard trying to improve myself in many
factors. My physical condition but mostly my psychology. It is a very
important factor how to be prepared before the game, during and after.
The influence of the result for the next game etc. It’s very important,
this part, and I’m working hard to improve it. In general I feel that I
haven’t reached my limits and I still have progress to achieve.
KK Change of subject. Do you believe that a player
in your high rated level that has devoted hid life to chess can combine
chess and family life?
VI It’s a personal question but I will tell you. I believe that if a
couple wants to be together everything is possible.
KK. Is it necessary for the wife or husband to be
a chess player too?
VI. I think that when both are chess players things are more
complicated because there is a lot of competition between them…
KK Another personal question. Do you believe that
chess apart from passion and creativity can be a road for personal
evolution?
VI Yes, of course I believe so. I have learned many things about
myself during this process and I’m working hard to improve myself. This
is also working the other way round because by improving my character I
also improve my chess.
KK. Lastly, would you like to tell me the next
tournaments in which you will participate?
VI I will play in Bundeslinga one game against Kazimzdanov on the
14th of November. After that I will play in 3 tournaments in Yerevan. In one strong OPEN in Tigran Petrosian’s memorial and the
European Rapid and Blitz championship.
KK. I would like to thank you very much for this
interesting conversation.
VI You are welcome.
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