Interview with Vugar Gashimov

Interview provided by the organizer
http://www.ugra-chess.ru/eng/interv_3.htm

Vugar Gashimov: “Kasparov predicted that we will win Europe. He was right”

European Champion Vugar Gashimov from Azerbaijan is sure that one of the favorites of the tournament would win the World Cup. And he does not deny that he is one of them.

• I think that most probably a well-known chess player would compete for the title, – states Vugar. For it is hardly possible that a random player could win four strong competitors in a row. So, knockout format excludes an accident.

• In this connection, how do you estimate your chances in Khanty?

• Is it worth to travel that far if you don’t hope for good performance? – smiles Vugar. Though I like very much Khanty Manyisk. I can’t say that I have walked a lot in the city, but what I have seen made an impression of a calm and comfortable place.

• Did you have acclimatization problems?

• Professional chess players travel a lot. So, to play well, one should learn fast how to get accustomed to the new conditions. Besides, I have been to Siberia before, this time I have easily acclimatized.

• In general you look very sportive.

• It is difficult to play against top players without good sport basis. Not trained player could play good chess maybe first part of the tournament. Further problems start, you become tired very fast and brains “do not work”.

• Our congratulations with victory of Azerbaijani team in the European Championship.

• The backbone of our team was found in 2001-2002 when we met that time country leader Geidar Alievich Aliev. He supported us big time. And after that Gary Kasparov said: after three Olympiads, Azerbaijan would start fighting for high places. So, it is nothing extraordinary in our victory. Moreover, we hope for further success. Our team is not only strong, but still it is one of the youngest teams among favorites.

• What was the crucial point, where could you overdo the silver medalists – Russian team?

• Matter of motivation, we wanted to win very much. Much more than Russians and other teams wanted this.

• The famous Georgian Grandmaster, FIDE Vice President Zurab Azmaiparashvili was a coach of your team at the European Championship. What did he bring to your success?

• A team tournament very much differs from an individual one. Everyone should play only to the benefit of a team. Zurab’s experience helped us to realize this. He gave us good advises in crucial moments. There were no situations of uncertainty, of no idea what to play. A priori we had a strict plan for the whole tournament and each round in particular. I very much hope that Zurab will continue his work with our team.

• Was it him to place one of the strongest Grandmasters of the world Shakhriyar Mamedyarov on the fourth board?

• From the beginning it was Shakhriyar’s idea. But it was approved by our team. Shakhriyar’s goal was to be such a top scorer and he managed this successfully.

• There are three leaders in your team: you, Shakhriyar and Teimur Rajabov. In life, are you friends or competitors?

• Does one exclude another? In individual tournaments of course everyone plays for his own. But in team competitions we are always together, discuss important issues. The private interests not only go to the background, they disappear for good.

• You are one of the few chess players who have own manager.