Posts by: boris

An interview with Kateryna Lagno after the first game of Round 1 of Women’s World Championship:

– Kateryna, how was your game today? 

– It was an interesting game, I think. My opponent made a mistake in the opening and lost a pawn. She got some compensation but still a pawn is a pawn. And with a precise moves I hold it and finally I won.

– Was this game the first one with this opponent for you? 

– Yes, it was.

– How do you get ready for the knock-out events? Do you try to invent some strategy for the pairings, or do you just play round by round? 

– Well, I will not tell you everything, of course. But I think like everybody you prepare for your first opponent and then you see how it goes. Just like this. Just try to play your best chess – the only miracle thing you can do.

– Do you have plans after this event? Where are you going to play next? 

– I don’t know. I don’t know about the competition in China. Because normally we play in December in World  Mind Sports Games. I’d love to play there. And I’d love to play in the World Rapid and Blitz Championships but I don’t know whether it will be organized or not. I hope so, but we’ll see.

– What can you say about the organization here? Did you like the opening ceremony? The playing hall? 

– The Opening ceremony was nice – it was short and good. So nobody got tired. The rest is okay. We’re used to play here and used to have good conditions here, so everything is fine.

An interview with Anna Muzychuk after the first game of Round 1 of Women’s World Championship:

– Anna, please tell us about your game today.

– This is the first game I won here. I can say it wasn’t so tough because I’ve got an advantage from the opening and then I think I was winning already somewhere on move 20  but we continued the game.

– What can you say about the organization of the tournament so far?

– It is not my first time here, I’ve been many times in Khanty-Mansiysk. I knew where I was going and what to expect. So far everything’s ok.

– And what about the opening ceremony?

– I liked the opening ceremony. It wasn’t long and it wasn’t short but I think it was interesting for the players.

– Before such knock-out events do you usually try to forecast and to see who are your next opponents and to make some plans?

– As for me, usually I am preparing for the first round and also since there are two possible opponents for the second round I also get ready for them as well.