More pictures and full text by By André Schulz are on chessbase
Question: Were you satisfied with the performance of your clients in Dortmund?
Hensel: Naturally, very satisfied. Vladimir did not just win Dortmund for the eighth time, he has won a series of tournaments, starting with the Chess Olympiade in Turin in 2006. This was the fifth classical chess event, which he completed with an Elo performance of over 2800. That just goes to show how he is dominating the chess scene for over a year now. Peter [Leko] also gave a good performance and applied pressure in almost every game. He could have easily won Dortmund if he had been able to make use of the chances he had more efficiently. Anyway, both players are in excellent condition.
Was Kramnik’s victory important from a psychological point of view, considering the upcoming world championship in Mexico.
As I said, Kramnik has been dominating top level chess for some time now. That will not have escaped the attention of his rivals, who are certain to be impressed. However, I do not believe that this is an advantage for Kramnik, since he has to carry the greatest burden of expectations. The cards will be reshuffled in Mexico and a great deal will depend on preparation and on his condition during the tournament – physical, mental and chess-wise.
How significant are the results of the recent rapid chess matches, for instance Leko vs Kramnik?
From a purely sporting point of view they are quite insignificant, especially since the games are not counted for the world rankings. But these events are an excellent platform to present chess in an entertaining form to a new target audience.
While the Dortmund tournament was being played a FIDE presidential board meeting was held. The result was a five-year-plan, presented with a fairly complicated chart, for the upcoming world championship. Did you understand the plan?
The new system is not difficult to understand, although the chart does lead to some misunderstandings, I have to admit.
The full interview can be read on chessbase.com
I like Kramnik and Anand and other players. I hope to see a good Mexico Tournament. However, I still want to see the WC title determined by a match.
I prefer to see a match between Anand and Kramnik for the WC title. Anand is #1 on ratings and more than deserves a shot. He has been at the top for some 15 years or so. He is so patient to wait so calmly.
Mexico is not a solution but it creates problems.
ahh…some real chessnews again 🙂
good!
chessbase.com rules!
Does anyone know what DVD Kramnik is making for ChessBase?
Kramnik’s manager has told a few half-truths in this interview, such as:
“That just goes to show how he (Kramnik) is dominating the chess scene for over a year now.” and later:
“As I said, Kramnik has been dominating top level chess for some time now.”
That’s hardly the truth. Anand is no. 1 by rating and there is a good reason for it. Aronian played in my opinion also top 3 chess during the last 2 years.
“But why does Kramnik have a special right to a world championship match in case he does not win Mexico?” – No direct answer given by his manager – since there is no real justification…except that Kramnik deserves to loose not in a tournament but in a match … so be it, I think he will.
I wish Anand had a good (??) manager as Topa and Kramnik has. They get voice and say ahead of him when every one should accept that he is atleast as good as them. ( in all probability he is the best player on the scene now). This guy is at loss because he only plays chess and no politics. Both these players get unfair advantage because of their managers and politics. Play chess not Game!