“I dream of playing against Judit Polgar” 
Anna Ushenina of coaches, defeats, and prize money 
By Olena SOKOLYNSKA, Kharkiv


I have spoken with chess players before. But this was the first time I had interviewed an international grandmaster of such a high class, a world champion. A female champion, that is. Maybe this is why I was so surprised by Ania’s manner of answering questions, simple, frank and at the same time elusive, as if she was evading an attack: “Are you an open person?” – “Chess players do not always conceal their emotions”; “Would you like your partner to share your interests?” – “It is always great to enjoy some support!” A fragile, shining, smiling, blue-eyed blonde easily crushes titled chess favorites and stereotypes. Out of 27 years of her life 20 has been spent playing chess. If all brilliant things are simple, she is a walking proof to the rule.

“I TRAIN FIVE TO EIGHT HOURS A DAY”

Many are astonished at your victory. Did you experience a feeling of miracle?

“No miracles, although I did have a stroke of good luck. Of course, no one had expected me to come first. Neither had I. Although I have a lot of achievements, I was rather a dark horse.”

Has anything changed in your life now?

“So far nothing. Yes, I have reached the top. But the most difficult thing is to hold your ground and keep your title, because now I am taken very, very seriously, all my opponents are studying my style of playing and analyze my parties.”

You are smashing all stereotypes about blondes! Do they somehow affect the way people treat you?

“Smashing stereotypes is a great thing. However, people around me tend to treat me with respect. At least, this is how I treat people, and they respond likewise.”

How did you start your career in chess?
“I learned to arrange pieces on the board at seven. My parents did not have any far-fetched goals, they just believed that chess is good for children’s development, and enrolled me at a chess club. I’ve been playing ever since then.”
Which were your favorite school subjects? Maybe, math helped you to play?
“Math has little to do with chess, it is an exact science, while chess is creative. I liked history the most, especially ancient history. I have always been enchanted with myths and legends.”
Did you have a coach who influenced your choice of career?
“I have had a lot of various coaches, but never a permanent one, who would train me personally every day. My first coach ever was actually my mom. My current coach, Anton Korobov from Kharkiv, is an international grandmaster. By the way, he did believe that I would win the championship. During this competition Anton helped me a lot, offered tips via the Internet for each game. We built our tactics depending on who the opponent was. At home I basically work on my own, study the chess materials, and train five to eight hours a day. Analyzing games and working with the computer is quite a hard and time-taking process. Speaking of my favorite style, I rather like the former world champion Anatolii Karpov, he’s got an appealing manner.”
Can you be described as a self-made chess player?
“In fact, that’s what I am indeed. I mostly train on my own. I cannot afford a coach. Nor have I sparring partners, because this is also quite pricey. I simply take part in events. You have to work hard and long, and eventually you will win.”
All good and well, but you also speak of good luck. Have you got a secret recipe for your own good luck?
“I think you have to think positive. I always hope for the better, and come what might. Also, you should not concentrate on your past failures. There are people who cannot take a defeat, they always want to make up for it, and only strive to win. I never think about winning or losing. I just play chess.”
THE CHINESE CHARACTER AND CHESS BOOM
How do you relax? What do you enjoy, besides chess tournaments?
“My whole life consists of training and traveling. People who are busy with serious stuff have now spare time for something grand, like climbing mountain peaks or hiking through forests. To unwind, I can watch a TV series. Even when I’m on a trip, I can hardly find time to see the sights, much as I would like to.”
What countries have you been to?
“It would be easier to say where I haven’t been! That would be Australia, Africa, and America. Otherwise, I’ve been almost everywhere: India, France, and many more. China is one of my favorites. Everything there is curious and unusual, very different from our everyday life. Even the Chinese calendar. For example, I was born in the year of the Ox, and I think I quite fit the description of this sign. Nevertheless, I don’t take horoscope seriously.”
Do you like competing against Chinese players?
“It is a very tough competition. The Chinese are very persistent. They will fight to the end, and will never give up, even in the weakest position. They will always try to find a slightest chance to avoid losing. Today China is experiencing a chess boom, in particular, in female chess, which gets governmental support. Female players are paid very high scholarships, especially if they have already achieved something. Recruiters comb the country in search of talented children, who then get coaches and material support. This is why Chinese players are very strong opponents.”
Isn’t there any support in Ukraine?
“We in the national Olympic team get a little scholarship, the amount is comparable to a school teacher’s salary. But if you want to participate in tournaments, you need to cover travel expenses, your own and your coach’s, but also his or her fees and accommodation – all at the player’s cost. However, recently there has been a hint at some progress. In 2012 Viktor Kapustin stood at the head of the Federation, he is fond of chess and he is trying to promote it, which is quite a challenge, for you have to persuade the government that they must invest in chess, introduce it at schools, because this certainly will boost the children’s development. They need not become champions. Chess is good for training perseverance, hardiness, concentration, and intellect.
“One Russian coach told me about a 15-year-old mentally retarded boy who was brought by his parents to his chess club. He was on childhood disability welfare program, he could not go to school, he would not know how much two plus two is, he did not read or write. His mom simply brought him there so he could spend some time with other kids. And he began playing, and he learned to write down his moves. In a short while, half a year or maybe a year later, he was writing and counting like any normal kid. At his next medical check-up the doctors were amazed, they could not believe their eyes.”
Have you received the prize money for you victory yet? Sixty thousand dollars is quite a pretty sum.
“No, I haven’t yet, and I don’t know when I will. But I will have to pay a huge tax on this prize, and I will also have to cover the tournament expenses, which were quite big. So the prize will shrink considerably – I will consider myself lucky if I get half of it.”
As usual, I would like to ask you about your future plans.
“I have no particular plans for the time being. At the moment I want to get some rest and take part in competitions after the New Year. I’m also going to take up driving lessons. Also, my ambition is to play against Judit Polgar someday. She plays like a powerful male grandmaster, and opponents do not perceive her as a frail woman.”

Source: http://www.day.kiev.ua

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Susan Polgar December 11, 2012 General News, Women's Chess 7 Comments
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