The players at the closing ceremony of the Grand Prix.
The just-concluded Women's Chess Grand Prix-2010 in Jermuk, Armenia was a treat with lots of fighting games, very few draws and, of course, Georgian Grandmaster Nana Dzagnidze's great wins round after round.
There were some official interviews conducted on the sidelines of the tournament and one question that was posed to all the top women players was: What are the qualities of a world chess champion?
Here are the nice answers given by the players.
- Antoaneta Stefanova: I believe to be a World Champion, you need to be not only a strong chess player but also have a strong personality.
- Xu Yuhua: A world champion must have foresight and patience.
- Hou Yifan: In my opinion, the most important is willpower, never give up!
- Maia Chiburdanidze: The champion should be humble with inner strength.
- Tatiana Kosintseva: I see the world champion as a charismatic person and devoted to chess.
- Elina Danielian: I appreciate nobility and I expect to see this characteristic in a champion.
- Pia Cramling: The world champion should be a skilful player and a kind person.
- Shen Yang: I most of all appreciate people who are honest, fair-minded, kindhearted, and strong-minded. And of course the champion should play splendid chess.
- Martha Fierro: Good personality and to promote chess around the world.
- Baira Kovanova: The champion should be very purposeful and strong-willed.
Which quote did you like best and what qualities do you see in a world champion?
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal blog at
Not to play like me!
ReplyDeleteLots of money.
ReplyDeleteI don't think most of the players really understood the question.. but with their answers i can see that the more mature players gave answers more to the point. Pia, Maia, Elina and maybe Xu gave answers that i liked the most!
ReplyDeletey0ur love for the game and subconsiously you want to be appreciated by the whole world .this is the key.ganesan from chennai.
ReplyDeleteI would go for someone who takes the responsibility of promoting the game, plays jolly good and is humble... someone who inspires you both as a chess player and as a person.
ReplyDeleteSomeone who plays chess really well and is very creative. Also, who promotes chess a lot like Alexandra :)
ReplyDeleteI think a world champion should be the one who wins through a combination of skills. To become a world champion requires patience along with raw talent. There are plenty of people who have the skills, but are not able to handle the pressure of this level of competition. A champion should never, never, never give up. A world champion should always be one who looks for a way to turn the tide, even when it looks hopeless. A world champion also is someone that does not underestimate an opponent or look beyond the current game. In addition to this, it would be great for a world champion should have the ability to be an ambassador for the game.
ReplyDeleteThen on the other hand, what do I know?
It takes whatever Magnus Carlsen has.
ReplyDelete