Ernesto Inarkiev from Russia won the Tournament A – Men’s Cup of Russia Stage in a brilliant manner. The Moscow grandmaster told the correspondent of the official Moscow Open website Eteri Kublashvili about his success.
- Ernesto, congratulations on a big win! What’s the secret of your success in the Moscow Open?
- Thank you. Honestly, last year turned to be very hard for me. I was working much on the change of that situation, and it’s nice to see this first result, proving all the work hasn’t been done for nothing.
- What games in your opinion turned to be key?
- As in any tournament played according the Swiss system, I divided this event into two rounds: a relative qualification, in other words first rounds, when you need to burst into the leading group, and the second half of the tournament.
I managed to gain the leadership just from the start, it’s a very important moment. In general, I was happy with the further running of the tournament, as one of the disadvantages of the open tournaments is the absence of games with strong opponents. And this time I was playing against good opponents when I became the leader. In principle, I was happy about that, but the games were very tough.
Even now I can say, we had a key game with Ian Nepomniachtchi as, I think, he’s in the good condition now. We had a very complicated and fighting game.
The game with Tigran Petrosian in the Round 8 also turned to be an uneasy one with chances and missed chances from both sides.
So it seems the whole finishing part of the tournament can be considered decisive.
- How can you comment on the final game with Igor Lysyj?
- When I was about to start this game, my mood was mixed. On the one hand, a draw result would allow me to top the tournament, on the other hand, I was very unsatisfied with the result of the game with Petrosian, as at some point I had a chance to win, and even the time trouble can’t justify it. So I wanted to play a good game in the Round 9, as a result everything happened, like I wanted.
I managed to play a good opening, one can say it was simple, but then when chances appeared, I used them quite good, I rather think so. Igor didn’t show better defense.
- What can you tell to the organizers of the tournament?
- I missed two Moscow Open festivals, and previously I used to play here several times in a row. I have a feeling, everything is settled here, everything is under control. It’s run on the autopilot.
Of course, I’m very glad that the number of participants is increasing every year. I know every time a big excitement is generated before the start, the registration is closed much beforehand.
Of course, it’s a unique tournament as it’s held in the university facilities – it’s a little bit strange to play chess in lecture rooms.
- You also studied in the RSSU. How was your study? Can you advise young chess players to combine study and carrier?
- Yes, I studied here at the Finances and Credit chair. As in any other university, it wasn’t easy.
As for advises, I think, everybody has to take his or her own decisions. For example, I had to leave the postgraduate study as I wasn’t able to finish it. Some moment I understood the postgraduate study is a separate work, it’s not just a study.
In general, I liked to study the specialty I’d chosen. At the same time, I know people, not interested in the studies at all, so I don’t see any sense in studies for the diploma only.
- Understand. Who is your coach, if it’s not a secret?
- It’s not a secret. My constant coach is Vladimir Belov, we’ve been working with him for more than a year already.
- Do you have any wish to become a coach some time, to start to train someone?
- At the moment, I think it’s another job, and if you want to improve as a player you need to stay concentrated on the play, and if you want to coach – then you need to do the same in the coaches’ activity. That’s why I’m not coaching at the moment. However, in general I think, this activity is also much deserving and interesting. So when no ambitions are left, why not to start doing it?
- Did you watch the parallel tournaments in Baden-Baden and Gibraltar, which were held in the same dates?
- Yes, as these tournaments are very interesting as well. I watched the games till the last rounds started. I didn’t have enough time then.
- What are your future plans?
- I will go the European Championship in Jerusalem. It will start in two weeks.
- Ernesto, thank you for the interview and good luck at the European Championship!
- Thank you.
Interview by Eteri Kublashvili