Interview with GM-elect Ray Robson was provided by the organizer
• I am 15, – says Robson about himself. He looks much younger, one should say. – I live in Florida, East coast. My father taught me to play chess when I was 3. He did it because he needed a partner in game. I participated in my first tournament when I was 7. In 2007 I became an International master and just one month ago I became a Grandmaster.
• Why did you start to play chess, and not let’s say baseball or basketball?
• My father taught me to play chess when I was small. Apart from chess I continue doing other sports: baseball, American soccer, tennis and table tennis. But most of all I like to play chess.
• You study in the college?
• No, I study at home, with private teachers. Besides, my parents are teachers. My father, who is with me here, teaches linguistics. My mom is Chinese and he is a Chinese language teacher.
• You must be polyglot?
• I speak English and understand Chinese.
• Who is your coach?
• Alexander Onischuk. But I don’t work with him very often. He is busy playing in many tournaments. We meet some three times per year.
• Have you been to Russia before?
• Yes, I participated this year in “Moscow Open” and “Aeroflot Open”. In Moscow Open I was not playing very well. But I was good in Aeroflot Open, won three games in a row.
• Are you planning to take part in these tournaments next year?
• I am not sure. If I am not mistaken, one of these tournaments coincides with Corus at Wejk aan Zee where I will participate. Generally speaking I like to play in Aeroflot. But there is one minus – it is always difficult to get Russian visa.
• What impressions do you have about Khanty Mansiysk?
• To my mind it is very nice city. Of course it is much colder than in Florida for instance. But it is always good to have some change. And plus there is a lot of snow, I have never seen that much.
• Have you ever played against Magnus Carlsen. Can you compare yourself with him?
• I have never played against him, just met at the Tal Memorial in Moscow now. I don’t dare to compare Carlsen not with me, and not with other chess players.
• How could you define your playing style?
• They say that I am an aggressive and attacking player.
• Do you have a chess idol?
• Perhaps it is Gary Kasparov
• Are you going to become a chess professional?
Next time.