Shattered dream

Peter SVIDLER: “THE BRIGHTEST IMPRESSION? A MEETING WITH THE “HOT” FINNISH FELLOW”
Interview presented by the World Cup organizer

One of the most interesting chess players of the world Peter Svidler is leaving the World Cup 2009. He was defeated by his compatriot Vladimir Malakhov.

He was bright and cheerful at the press conference after the game: as if he qualified to the semifinals of the World Cup.

• You look happy…

• I am glad that I make such an impression. I would be a not bad poker player then. You should hide your emotions. But believe me: there were better moments in my life. I am more disappointed than upset. After I overplayed Shirov in the previous match, I had a goal to go at least to the finals. Alas, the defeat in the first game made this aim unachievable. It is almost impossible to win with black such a strong and tough player Vladimir Malakhov.

• What is the most memorable moment of your stay here?

• I cannot mark out some moments: the whole tournament was very interesting and let’s say eventful. But what I will remember well is the first match against the “hot” Finnish fellow Tomi Nyback. It was a very bright match, from the chess point of view too.

• You are in the Top Hundred List for already many years. But you never were the first. What is the reason? Maybe you need to have a good team?

• I don’t think it will change anything. It is obvious that there are reasons which prejudice my global break through, but we could talk hours about it. In general I think that I have wisely organized my life. To achieve better results one should make some psychological reconstruction. It has nothing to do with the outer resources attraction. I play on a high level for about 10 years. Probably I could reach much higher results. But to achieve this, first of all one should change something inside, and only then the outside conditions

• Could it be a case that you played too much this year? All these leagues, Tal Memorial, World Cup…

• Possible. I was playing so many tournaments lately, they are all like one. I did not play well at the Tal Memorial. It is clear I had to play against such serious people like Kramnik and Anand. But anyway, my final result “-2” is like a crash for me. Besides, I could not manage to win the last game, as opposed to Ruslan Ponomariov. The impression of the whole tournament is based on how the last day went on.

• So, you will have bad impressions after Khanty Mansiysk?

• It has nothing to do with the city that I played the last match so badly. Undoubtedly Khanty Mansiysk is very beautiful city with good people. Good hotel, service. In general everything was organized on a high level.

• Any complaints regarding food?

• No, I am happy with everything. The menu is quite various. Ok, the tournament is very long and by 10 th day you come to the point 1 of the menu (laughing). But the same goes for any restaurant in any hotel of the world.

• You are known as a great fan of American soap operas. Did you watch something here?

• Yes, two seasons of “Arrested Development”. As usual I enjoyed it. I was not lucky with reading here. I brought one book of one Russian author (will not name him, in order not to make an advertisement). I am going home tomorrow and will leave the book in the room. Perhaps the room maids will like it.

• One of the guests of the press center Lenier Dominguez recently said that to his mind a character of one of the famous soap opera “Doctor House” could be a great chess player.

• Quite possible. I have an opinion that a monkey could be taught to play chess and it could become a candidate master.

• There are two important chess competitions ahead: Super finals of the Russian Chess Championship and the World Team Chess Championship in Turkey. Are you going to take part in both?

http://ugra-chess.ru/eng/interv_33.htm