Interview with Gata Kamsky from Khanty-Mansiysk

Gata KAMSKY: “I WAS ALWAYS CHOOSING THE WRONG OPENINGS”
Interview provided by the organizer

The last Cup winner Gata Kamsky was defeated by the young Wesley So from the Philippines in Round 3.

• How come that you became another victim of the new star of the Cup – So?

• Everything is clear: my opponent was better prepared and I was always choosing the wrong openings. In the first game I was playing recklessly and got the problematic position. I was thinking that could manage to win the fellow on class. But he turned out to be very serious chess player. Second game: I had to solve difficult problem: it is almost impossible to win a good player with black. I played “Dutch defense”, sacrificed a pawn and got some chances. But at one point I went too far and the advantages for my opponent were clear enough and I offered a draw not to suffer…

• Perhaps you underestimated your opponent?

• No, it is not the case. So was playing better and he deserved the victory

• How do you see his perspectives in the tournament?

• It is a thankless business to make prognosis. So far he is doing well. What will happen then, we shall see…

• Could it be the case that you did not take the Cup seriously. You have already guaranteed your participation in the Candidates Matches.

• This kind of thoughts perhaps did bother me. But it is not the reason of my elimination.

• Why then did not you invite a second to help you? As we remember Emil Sutovsky was helping you in the last Cup after being knocked out?

• Let’s say neither me nor Emil had an opportunity to cooperate here.

• Can you say more?

• Nothing special. I just preferred to play without a second lately. There is another reason. A second or a coach should be paid, and a good coach should be paid well. We were working with Emil at the match against Veselin Topalov. The American Chess Federation did not support me in this cooperation. Well, you can develop the idea yourself now…

• Who is the favorite of the Cup to your mind?

• All our favorites: Grischuk, Ponomariov, etc…

• After your victory at the World Cup 2007 you have had an ascent of your career…

And now I am experiencing a descent… Like Kramnik says, it is high time to draw a conclusion. There is only one difference: Kramnik has drawn them, I have not made them yet…

http://ugra-chess.ru/eng/interv_16.htm