Schacksnack

Efter femte ronden i i FIDE Women Grand Prix intervjuades GM Pia Cramling i pressrummet. Eftersom spelet återupptas i morgon klockan 13.00, efter den spellediga dagen, kan det vara en lämplig tidpunkt att publicera intervjun och samtidigt påminna om att det går att följa henne i direktsändning som svart mot GM Nana Dzagnidze, GEO (2479).

Pia Cramling, who seems to have been infected with a draw syndrome during the last few tournaments, was the next to appear in the press center.

– I didn’t gain any benefit in the opening gambit,- the Swedish player told the journalists.- My opponent almost got things equalized. But then there came the end-game with a spare pawn. I should have created more problems for my opponent but, of course, it was bound to end in a draw.

-You’ve been playing on the highest level at different tournaments for many years. Are you tired of chess?
– I love chess, but since I became a mother I have had to spend a great deal of time with my family, my daughter. I’m planning to play less in the future, not as much as now.

– Ever think of yourself becoming world champion?
– Of course, every chess player aims at champion’s title but I don’t view the chess crown as an end in itself. I simply play for pure enjoyment.

– How come you’ve already been a resident of Spain for twenty years? Do you miss Sweden?
– I love Spain, and, naturally enough, I do miss Sweden. However, I keep travelling around a lot and frequently visit my home. There are lots of German, Russian and Swedish communities in Spain, so I have quite a lot of communication with my compatriots.

– Is it true that you love listening to Julio Iglesias?
– No, that’s my husband. I prefer Enrique.

– Have you got any pets?
– My husband and I are both professional chess players, and we travel a lot. For that reason, unfortunately, it’s not possible for us to keep pets.

– You are this year’s European champion. Did you expect to win the title?
– I was very happy to win it, and it was my second one, by the way. I never really stopped to think about winning and just played to my heart’s content. Sometimes all the odds seem to to be in your favour. Certainly I’m very glad I managed to become European champion.

– What are you going to do after finishing your career?
– It seems tome I’ll keep on playing chess for the rest of my life

–    What do you think about the idea of organizing the women’s Grand Prix?
–    It’s a good idea. I like this scheme in which the world champion’s title will be contested in a match between the Grand Prix winner and the winner of the world championship on a knockout system. I like knockout system tournaments but it would be just fair to determine the world’s strongest chess player in a match.