Official website: http://chess2012.ugrasport.com
Iranian women grandmaster Atousa Pourkashiyan got eliminated from the championship losing to Chinese Ju Wenjun in 10 minutes games. Despite her disappointment, she agreed for a chat after the tie-break.
– Dear Atousa, you put up a real fight against one of the strongest Chinese players Ju Wenjun. Today on a tie-break you went through 25 minutes games and she could take an upper hand only in 10 minutes games. Can you please tell a little bit about the course of events?
– Because of my lack of preparation I did not have a real opening to play and I always changed them. I think I nevertheless played well in the middlegame. In the first game my opponent blundered after I played 19…Rxf3. However, I returned the favor by missing 23. Ne6. I was lucky to make a draw in this game because of her time-trouble. It seems to me that she is not playing really well in a time trouble.
In another game I think that the move repetition was made 100 times or so but we both wanted to win it. At one moment I wanted to claim a draw, but I considered that my time is better (around 2 minutes against 15 seconds) and decided to continue.
I can say that I am not satisfied with the result. Judging by the way the match went, I could hope for a better outcome.
Is it the first time in your life that you play the tie-breaks?
Yes, I never played the tie-breaks before. However, I of course played rapid games in my life, in national competitions.
What is your psychological impression of the tie-breaks?
I was in positive mood! I think that I was lucky sometimes, but she also got lucky from time to time. Generally I did not feel really pressed.
Is this the first time for you in Khanty-Mansiysk?
No, I’ve been here at the Olympiad in 2010.
Do you like it, isn’t too cold for you?
No, it is not cold at all – I was preparing for more frost! I liked the city back in 2010 and I did not change my opinion. It is a quiet city and the organizers are very hospitable.
Who helps you in your chess preparation?
I did not have a particular coach for this competition. The strongest chess player of Iran helped me before the competition but unfortunately he was busy with his own tournaments and we could not devote a lot of time for the preparation.
What support do you get in Iran?
It was better before because right now we are experiencing some economical problems in the country and it is difficult to find the money to invite coaches.
Will you stay for a few days to explore the city?
I think we will leave a day after tomorrow and tomorrow I will devote for walking around Khanty-Mansiysk.
Tough fight.