I am amazed by Gelfand’s stamina

Dmitry JAKOVENKO: “I AM AMAZED BY GELFAND’S STAMINA”

Dmitry Jakovenko lost to Boris Gelfand in the tie breaks of Round 5… Therefore, Ugra region is left without its only representative at the tournament.

• Recently I read an interview of Alexander Grischuk. He was complaining that could not get an advantage with white in the match against me, – suddenly starts the press conference Dmitry. – The thing is that I faced the same problem in my game against Boris Gelfand. The only way out was to bring it to the tie breaks, and there I was hoping to win “in a mess”. The second game of the tie breaks was decisive. I was caught in the opening and got a complicated position. I “flunked” quickly though I am normally tougher when defending. I played my last game of the tournament with white. I had to play risky, but my attack was deadlocked.

• Did the tiredness affect your performance?

• I was very much exhausted after the match against Alexander Grischuk. It was amazing how confident Gelfand was. Though everyone plays as good as an opponent allows. I was playing so badly that my opponent did not spend a lot of energy to win.

• How can you characterize Gelfand?

• Boris plays on a high level for many years. But lately he has a real renaissance. In addition, I am very comfortable opponent to him, – says Dmitry with disappointment. – I did not win a single game against him. We are chess players of classical style. Therefore a draw is a logical result for us. Boris feels uncomfortable to play against non standard players, for instance against Morozevich.

• It looked like you were not confident in the tie breaks against Gelfand…?

• The shorter time control is, the more difficult to play for me. In general I don’t feel well in the tournaments where the tie break games are of more importance.

• What is by the way your attitude to the new format of the tie breaks?

• The previous format was better. They say the games Akobian vs. Tregubov lasted till 01.00 a.m.. Isn’t it too much? Of course four rapid games are acceptable but they would be short, some 15-20 minutes.

• Were you prepared enough for this tournament?

• I was not preparing much. I was playing a lot before the tournament and did not need to prepare a lot. Just was trying to keep a physical shape. It makes me happy that I could use the ideas which I prepared for other tournaments.

• Whom will you support now?

• I am sure I will not grieve for anyone, have grieved for myself a lot (laughing). I will not even follow the further games. Just want to say that there are no “random” players left here. And everyone who managed to go to this stage deserves to win. Usually I wish that the more experienced player wins. Therefore, I would keep my fingers crossed for Gelfand. If I would not lose (says Dmitry ironically).

• This year was not successful for you. Did you manage to overcome the crisis?

• It’s hard to say. I had some personal as well as chess reasons. I managed to solve one problem…

• The personal reason is your recent marriage?

• Not at all!

• Your wife is a chess player as well?

• No, we met during the tournament in Elista, she was working as an interpreter.

• It was a case that many chess players were losing about 100 Elo points after the marriage.

• I had a period when my rating was 40 points less than my maximum level. But I had another objective reason which affected it. On the contrary I gained 5 points at this tournament.

• Yesterday the organizers of the Cup were complaining that you refused to give a press conference though you have the contract obligations.

• It is because of my nervous state. I was upset of the fact that being at home I could not play well. In addition, some previous tournaments were not successful as well. I feel apathy, did not want to speak with anyone, to see anyone. It is strange but now I am ready to speak quietly. A psychological stress I had yesterday has gone.

• The Super finals of the Russian Chess Championship and the World Team Chess Championship are ahead. Are you going to take part in these competitions?

• At last I played comparatively well after the series of unlucky period. I again have an aspiration to play chess. I had a period when I was even afraid to come up to the chess board. Therefore I will play in both competitions. Moreover I have a burst of energy now.

• How will you prepare to the Super finals?

• I will go home, to Nizhnevartovsk. I will have some rest days and again will get down to work.

• Do you feel home in the chess elite?

• It is too early to say like this. The Super Grandmasters still play better than me. But I will be able to change it soon.

http://ugra-chess.ru/eng/interv_35.htm