Former world chess champion visits Vietnam
Last update 08:20, Wednesday, 21/07/2010 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Russian former world chess champion Anatoly Evgenyevich Karpov arrived in HCM City on July 19 during his Asian tour to campaign for chair of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
Karpov, 59, was very friendly. He always smiled and was willing to talk to anybody who likes chess. He attended the opening ceremony of the National Young Rapid Chess Championship 2010 and shared his experience with young Vietnamese players.
Before going to Malaysia, he talked with Tuoi Tre newspaper.
Karpov: I think talent accounts for 20 percent of success and up to 80 percent is training hard and gaining experience from your own games.
Q: To develop chess, which conditions does a country need?
Karpov: The prerequisite condition is a broad chess movement. Then chess players must show their professionalism. In addition, the assistance of the government and businesses is very important.
Q: What do you know about Vietnam’s chess?
Karpov: You have Le Quang Liem, who has played at world leading tournaments. I believe that Vietnam has many talents and it will be the home to many world chess champions.
Q: Chess players have good mathematical thinking. Is it better if you don’t play chess, but research mathematics?
Karpov: I don’t know, but chess helps life a lot. Through chess, people can train their discipline and logical thinking ability to perfect themselves and improve their memory.
Q: How does chess playing benefit students?
Karpov: Chess playing has really developed in the last two decades. More masters and grandmasters of chess have appeared. In many countries, chess is taught at schools. That’s the nursery to discover who will become grandmasters of chess and excellent mathematicians.
Q: If you are elected as FIDE Chair, what will you do to further develop chess?
Karpov: If I’m elected, I will exempt appointment fees for grandmaster and master titles and I will do my best to support chess playing movements in developing countries.
Developing chess must originate from mass movements, so I will set up at least one chess club for each age in nations with chess movements.
In Vietnam, I have thought of building two chess clubs, one in HCM City and one in Hanoi.
Source: Tuoi Tre
How many votes does Karpov have so far?