GM Nils Grandelius in Sydsvenskan

GM Nils Grandelius in Sydsvenskan

GM Nils Grandelius, 18, from Dalby, Sweden, won the U18 European Chess Championship this week. Ellinor Bengtsson performed a quick interview for the Sydsvenskan daily newspaper.

Ellinor Bengtsson: Can I be lucky in chess?

Nils Grandelius: The players have full information so it’s not like the card game, but no one can predict exactly what will happen during the game.

Ellinor Bengtsson: Is there a difference in the game strategy between countries?

Nils Grandelius: Players from the countries of Eastern Europe follow a certain structure, they have all followed the same school and we know roughly what they have learned. We from the western countries are more unpredictable on the board.

Ellinor Bengtsson: What kind of player are you?

Nils Grandelius: I am the aggressive type who likes to attack. But during the European Championships I tried to play a little safer.

Ellinor Bengtsson: How to keep up the concentration?

Nils Grandelius: When it’s your opponent’s turn, you can go get coffee and relax. It is usual to start with some quick moves in the opening, and then later think about 15-20 minutes for each. The longest game I’ve played took seven and a half hours.