Picture and story provided by organizer
After the most resulting (decisive) round of the “North Urals Cup” history the press conference with the winners (Xu Yuhua, Marie Sebag, Anna Ushenina) took place. Vladimir Georgiev coach of the tournament leader Antoaneta Stefanova talked to us instead her.
Can you say some words about your today’s victory?
Marie Sebag: This victory was not easy for me, it only looked like easy.
Xu Yuhua: Today I had to defend a lot and I can say that only my opponent’s mistakes helped me to win.
Anna Ushenina: My match was very difficult too. Anna made a rude mistake owing to which I managed to win. But before it my position was extremely complicated.
Vladimir Georgiev: I am glad to see you again and hope that I`ll be at the winners` press conferences many times. Antoaneta managed to get the advantageous position but already in the endgame with the spare Pawn she had some technical problems. She managed to solve them to our pleasure.
Anna what do you think what made Anna Muzychuk make such a rude mistake?
Anna Ushenina: Both of us were in time trouble and I think that she so to say missed the moment. It is difficult to control everything when you are short of time.
Marie how are you today and did you manage finally to recover after the long way?
Marie Sebag: Of course I was very tired after such a long way but I had some rest and now I am ok.
How do you prepare for the match?
Marie Sebag: I have to prepare at night because my coach is in France and there is time difference.
Anna Ushenina: I train with computer, look through opponents` matches and plan probable opening.
Vladimir Georgiev: Surely we use computer, chess programs and data bases of matches as all professional chess players.
Was your preparation useful today?
Anna Ushenina: Anna Muzychuk plays various openings and it is not so easy to prepare. That is why I was ready for everything.
Vladimir Georgiev: Natalya Pogonina always repeats the same openings. So we managed to surprise her today. I think our preparation was useful.
Xu Yuhua: I prepared quite a long variant but in the middle game I made the wrong move which was on my board the previous day. I just forgot how I was going to play.
Translation: Olesya Aleynikova
Anna Burtasova,
Press-attache of the “North Urals Cup 2008”
Anna_burtasova(at)hotmail.com
