The FIDE World Chess Championship will take place in the Hotel Potrero de
los Funes Complex, in the Province of San Luis, Argentina, from September 27
to October 16, 2005.
WCC San Luis 2005 Press Release
Peter Svidler talked with to the Press Office of the World Chess Championship
San Luis 2005. “This is probably the strongest event I have ever played
in, and I will do my best to do well in it”, said the Russian, who assured
that his preparation for this competition is “mostly mentally”.
Although he remembered playing in Linares 1999, with an eight-player double
round robin, he thinks that “this event will be even harder because of
its status”.
Among his favourite players coming to San Luis, he especially mentions Anand.
“I historically found it hard to play against him”, he concluded.
Talking about Argentina, his first three words were “Maradona, tango,
and steak”.
Ten questions
1. What are your expectations about this important competition?
This is probably the strongest event I have ever played in, and I will do
my best to do well in it.
2. How do you evaluate the way of play of this competition? (Double round-robin)
It will be very hard and exhausting for sure, but I think it is the best possible
format for an eight-player event.
3. Which are your favourite players among your seven opponents? And who
will be the toughest?
We shall see after the tournament, hehe. But historically I found it hard
to play Vishy Anand.
4. How are you preparing yourself for the WCC Argentina 2005?
Mostly mentally.
5. Do you think that you will be coming being in your best competition
level?
I hope so – but only time will tell.
6. Which will be the "tips" to win the competition?
Anand, Leko, Topalov, in alphabetical order, hehe.
7. Will this tournament be very different from all the others you have
already played?
I played in Linares 1999 when it was an eight player double round robin. I
remember how hard that was. But this event will be even harder because of its
status.
8. Will the spectators be seeing "new things" in the way of
playing?
Probably.
9. Why should spectators not miss this championship?
I don't think anyone would want to miss it: all the best and most exciting
chess players are playing in it.
10. Name the first things that come into your mind when you think of Argentina.
Maradona, tango, and beef steak
Short biography of Peter Svidler
Grandmaster. He was born in Russia in 1976. At the age of 18, he won the Russian
Championship, one of the most prestigious existing tournaments, for the first
time. Although the current champion is Kasparov, young Svidler beat him for
the fourth time in 2003, an accomplishment that no one has achieved in the
post Soviet Union era. He is an exceptional fast game player and his original
style has provided him many victories. He defeated Peter Leko 4 and a half
to 3 and a half, winning the Chess 960 (Fischer Random) World Championship.
Many think he could be the surprise in San Luis. ELO: 2738.
Source: Press Office of the WCC San Luis 2005
