Why US can’t get Fischer II
Published: Saturday, Jun 9, 2012, 8:50 IST
By Jayadev Calamur | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

Like many other Soviet residents, Ziatdinov Raset moved to the United States for a better life in 1985. Now, an American citizen, Raset trots across the globe to play various tournaments, after becoming Grandmaster a few years ago. “Chess is my life. While I have spent time in America teaching mathematics at a University in California, I eventually decided that playing chess was what I wanted to do,” he said.

When asked about the chess scenario in the United States, Raset said that there was a lot of talent, which was being nurtured. “Last year, we had 4,000 kids coming to be trained. Unlike in India, where the government takes interest in the players’ development, in the United States, there is more parent involvement. They spend $500 for a chess camp if the kid has talent,” he informed.

When DNA asked him the all-important question as to why the United States had not produced another Bobby Fischer, Raset laughed and said, “People like Bobby Fischer are born to play chess. The same can be said about Garry Kasparov. The others, including Anand, have worked hard and come up. These guys have been freaks of nature. I don’t think we’ll have players like them for a long time.”

He also spoke highly on Hikaru Nakamura, the USA top seed. “Nakamura has all the makings of becoming a World Champion. He is aggressive and has a very fast-paced game, which can unsettle his opponents. While he is no Fischer, he is good and can have a great career. And the best thing: he’s only 22!”

While speaking of the Indian talent, he said that the talent in America was as good, with only a different style of game. “In America, they are more aggressive, while Russians and Indians are more strategic in their chess,” he analysed, adding that it would be interesting to see the American GMs play their Indian counterparts in more tournaments.

Meanwhile, it was a good day for top seeds. Grandmaster Aleksandrov Aleksej of Bulgaria had an easy run, beating Indonesia’s International Master Situru Muhammad Ivan in 25 moves in a third round game. He also beat Swapnil Reddy earlier in the day.

However, the biggest upset came when 11-year-old Chinese prodigy Bai Jinshi drew with Hungarian Grandmaster Czeve Attuka.

In another game, India’s Abhishek Das took the game against Philippines Grandmaster Gomez John Paul by sacrificing his rook.

The move looked to unnerve the GM, who ended up winning after an intense battle that lasted over three hours.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com

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