Alexander Morozevich Interview
I do not miss Topalov here in Moscow, or in any other tournament – Morozevich said
Presented by Chessdom.com
The Mikhail Tal Memorial, which is currently ongoing in Moscow, has gathered eight of world’s top ten rated Grandmasters. One of the participants is Alexander Morozevich, who recently won an individual gold medal for the performance at the European Team Chess Championship in Novi Sad. Excerpts from the interview with Russian “Izvestia”.
Izvestia: You were in great shape at the European Championship, but the Russian team did not have enough points to win the gold medal. Isn’t that a pity?
Alexander Morozevich: I have mixed feelings about this competition. Of course, I managed to win three consecutive games in the final rounds. But the shame that the team finished only second is greater.
Izvestia: Now you are playing at the Tal Memorial. How do you estimate the strength of the starting lineup?
Alexander Morozevich: I personally have no doubt that, with such players, this is the strongest tournament of the year. Of course, there are tournaments abroad where the average rating could be a few points higher, but this is usually with four or maximum six top Grandmasters. The organizers had to invest lots of effort to get the highest XXI category with ten participants. They managed to include almost all the world’s best players – eight out of top ten. In addition, we have the former World Champion Ruslan Ponomariov, and Vassily Ivanchuk, who is now slightly lower rated.
Izvestia: Still the highest rated player – Veselin Topalov from Bulgaria – did not arrive to Moscow. His absence did not upset you?
Alexander Morozevich: You know, I will tell you my own, totally personal point of view. I myself do not miss Topalov here in Moscow, or in any other tournament. Granted, millions of chess fans certainly have different opinion on this matter.
Full interview on Izvestia.ru (Russian language). Thanks to e3e5.com.
FIDE and Moro may say differently, but Ponomariov has never been World Champion.
i believe “I myself do not miss Topalov here in Moscow” may be a mis-translation. i think he may have said something more like ‘it’s not boring without topalov’
Bravo Mozorevicz!!! I agree with you. Topa team should be baned for their dirty damage to the chess.
Unfortunately and paradoxally, Bulgary is the only country where chess stars are corespondingly respected.
Poor India (Anand/Topa), poor USA (Kampsky/Topa)!!!
“I myself do not miss Topalov here in Moscow, or in any other tournament.”
You mean “the Bulgarian vulgarian”?
luv the candid picture! ^_^
Susan did you know Moro was the only 2700+ player on icc to play me with his real account in 1min chess, aside for Bobby of course, the rest of them was running and hiding behind low accounts “the Russians” hehe, then i went to the chess drum and told on them! hahaha. They Wanted free lessons to beat vishy, Susan im not smart at all just SLICK! hahaha.