I try not to bend under pressure

YAROSLAV ZHEREBUKH: I TRY NOT TO BEND UNDER THE BURDEN

The Ukrainian Grandmaster Yaroslav Zherebukh told the journalists about himself and the 1st game drawn against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov from Azerbaijan.

— Among all representatives of Ukraine at the World Cup, you must be less known. Tell us anything about yourself that you consider necessary for the chess community to know.

— I got the Grandmaster title when I was 15 and half years old and then I made a long pause. In 2009 my rating was 2558 and at the beginning of the year 2010 it went down to 2527 which means that the entire year I was not active and did not play in strong tournaments since I did not have either a coach or any assistance, that is why I slowed down. This year I seem to have taken the right direction, started working with coaches and therefore made some progress.

— Do you live in Lvov? Who is your coach?

— Exactly. I am trained by the distinguished coach of Ukraine Vladimir Grabinsky who also works with all other grandmasters of Lvov including Volokitin (of course, except for Ivanchuk), however, recently he is working with us rather rarely.

— How do you feel playing in the tournament together with Ponomariov and Ivanchuk and other famous grandmasters?

— Certainly I am much honored. I take them for an example and the fact that I have had such an opportunity to play here proves that my work is not in vain.

— Judging by your results, you do not have any hang-ups facing your opponents at the chess board.

— There is such a proverb — if you bend under the burden, it will only get heavier, therefore I try not to think about it and play calmly.

Official website: http://chess.ugrasport.com