Dubov: "The only way to change anything in Russia is a revolution"

by ChessBase
3/31/2022 – Vladimir Putin uses athletes for his propaganda. But Russian chess grandmaster Daniil Dubov is standing up to the Russian leader and the war in Ukraine. In an interview with Europe's premier news magazine, the 25-year-old explains why he is willing to take that risk. "Nuclear war could break out and I could miss the end of the world while analysing the Italian opening." | Photo: Jacek Prondzynski/Newspix/Imago
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The interview was conducted by Florian Pütz and posted on Sunday on the SPIEGEL news page. It has thankfully been translated into English and is not behind a paywall. This is what Daniil Dubov said:

  • "You probably think that Russia is a bad country and we are bad people. But there is a large number of people who share the same values as you do in Europe." When the military actions started they were just shocked. 44 Russian chess players published a letter opposing military action on the territory of Ukraine. Daniil confirms that it was partially written by him, "but it came about through teamwork. If it gets me in trouble, so be it." He does not consider himself a political opponent of Putin — he simply loves his country and criticises things because he has the right to do so.
     
  • On the course of the war, Daniil thinks it cannot get any worse for Russia. The consequences will be long and unpleasant, no matter where the conflict will go. He tells his friends that he is Russian, but against what is happening.
     
  • He can feel the West's sanctions against Russia, but can live with them. He was unable to receive his prize money for the first Grand Prix tournament in February because of the problems with banking transactions.
     
  • He was not fully concentrated and motivated when playing in the Berlin Grand Prix. He is depressed, and finds it hard to prepare for games when one has to skim the news every three minutes.

Daniil Dubov, 25, is one of the best Russian chess grandmasters. In 2018, he won the World Rapid Chess Championship. Because of his creative style of play, world champion Magnus Carlsen brought him onto his team as a second. Dubov lives in Moscow. | Photo: ANTON VAGANOV / REUTERS

  • About moving the 2022 Olympiad from Moscow to Chennai, India he thinks that FIDE had to make the decision. And if an opponent refuses to play against him because he is Russian, he would understand their decision.
     
  • About Sergey Karjakin, who has been supporting Putin and Russian propaganda, it is shameful. "I'm pretty sure Karjakin is doing this mainly for his own benefit, to pursue a political career. Maybe because he thinks it's right, maybe because he thinks it's useful, most likely a bit of both."
     
  • On FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich speaking out against the war in Ukraine (and being accused of treason in Russia) Daniil says Dvorkovich is in a "very, very difficult position," especially since the Kremlin has publicly demanded that the FIDE revoke Karjakin's ban. "I really don't want to be in his shoes. Anatoly Karpov is more powerful than Karjakin because he sits in the Duma, while Karjakin is just an Instagram blogger."
     
  • On his (and Alexander Grischuk's) protest for the release of Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny: "You probably think it took a lot of courage, but it doesn't. Basically, you wait for the police to take action and attack people. Then you go home. If you don't leave in time, the police catch you. Then it becomes uncomfortable. It may sound cynical, but quite honestly, I don't want to be beaten for a goal for which I see no chance."

Daniil knows that what he is saying is really dangerous, but thinks the only way to change anything in Russia is a revolution, which he personally doesn't want. "I don't want Russians to kill Russians. Putin and his actions are clearly supported by the majority of Russians."

He finds it hard to think about his future in chess:

Nuclear war could break out. I could miss the end of the world while analysing the Italian opening.

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lajosarpad lajosarpad 4/1/2022 12:03
While I do agree with Chessbase's position that Russia should have avoided the invasion and I'm also very much concerned about the dictatorship that now rules Russia, I care to see all aspects of the conflict, rather than just one side. Yes, the invasion is terrible, surely. However, the plight of the people in the Donbass in the last 8 years is completely ignored by the mainstream media. I have a feeling that when Russia commits atrocities, then mainstream media (correctly) exposes and denounces those. Yet, when Ukraine commits atrocities, then we see no coverage, one has to look into alternative sources to see both sides, so it is almost like the Ukraine would be allowed to do anything it likes. For instance: bombing Mariupol while civilians are there is a war crime committed by Russia. However, there are quite a lot of testimony by locals according to which they would be murdered by local extremists if they would try to leave. If those testimonies are authentic, then besides Russia's war crimes we see that war crimes are also committed by the Ukrainian side. Still, the invasion is Russia's responsibility.
Frits Fritschy Frits Fritschy 4/1/2022 10:12
I think everybody should, within the limits of law, have the right to venture his opinion. That doesn't mean it is always useful to react to it.
Frederic Frederic 4/1/2022 09:50
We have taken in a Ukrainian family and been confronted with the situation directly, not just in the daily news reports. Their country is being reduced to rubble. Here's some footage from The Guardian: https://youtu.be/kT6pV4rK5Gk
DuxCarnorum DuxCarnorum 4/1/2022 07:56
God save Daniil Dubov!
chessbibliophile chessbibliophile 4/1/2022 07:31
@WillScarlett,
My good friend, here we meet again.
Every sovereign state has the right and indeed authority to make choice with whom it has to make alliances, economic or military. That is not an excuse for the neighbouring state (Russia) to attack and occupy this state (Ukraine). Let us say, there is no provocation from the USA, NATO or otherwise. Putin would still be on an expansionist spree. First, it was Georgia and it has been Ukraine for the last 8 years. Crimea has already fallen. Now there are these so-called break-away districts. Why should Ukraine allow itself to be carved up? Given the history of the Russian domination of Eastern Europe by the Tsars and the Soviets and repeated threats plus military aggression by Putin, every state in that region would want to safeguard its interests. NATO may not be the right option, though.
Why should smaller states like Ukraine accept how the USA and Russia between themselves determine spheres of influence over them?
Jarman Jarman 4/1/2022 07:28
"And if an opponent refuses to play against him because he is Russian, he would understand their decision."
That would be tantamount to saying that all Russians are one and the same, which is absurd. If anything, just strip Russian players of their flag like they do in tennis and other competitions, and play them on their own sporting merits. There have always been great Russian people despite the shortcomings and idiocy of their own government, and always there will be.
Masquer Masquer 4/1/2022 07:27
Another Bolshevik revolution perhaps?! That doesn't sound so democratic!
Alexandru27 Alexandru27 4/1/2022 07:20
Bravo Daniil Dubov!
WillScarlett WillScarlett 4/1/2022 04:32
Good for ChessBase ! No matter how many people who much prefer critical thinking, examination of both sides of argument and dispute, and as much objectivity as possible, ChessBase heroically and consistently presents only one side of political matters. Their side.

Let's all hope the brave and beloved Dubov's wishes prevail, that the freedom loving Zelensky triumphs, and that NATO expands to the Pacific over the crushed monster Putin. To hell with the recalcitrant people of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces. Let's bomb them for another eight years into oblivion ... like NATO did to other trouble makers in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999. Uncle Sam will approve. You can ask him - he's in Germany for 77 years now, steering and monitoring that state without pause, selflessly, making the world safe for ChessBase.

We all owe ChessBase a debt of gratitude for steadfastly refusing to present any views to the contrary. Bravo .
Mark Pinto Mark Pinto 4/1/2022 04:18
Daniil-Great admiration for your courage.
egeoba egeoba 4/1/2022 12:46
Dubov, you are a brave and great person!
farili farili 4/1/2022 12:30
The world loves Dubov and hates Putin
Straight_Shooter Straight_Shooter 3/31/2022 11:56
Support Dubov!!
ChessTalk ChessTalk 3/31/2022 11:32
Dear Daniil, most of us don't like calling it Russia's war. Instead, we call it Putin's war. That is because we know it isn't a war all Russians support. On nuclear war, people in the 1960's through to the fall of the Soviet Union used to fear 'armageddon.' It never happened because cooler heads prevailed. Don't plan for that disaster. Just live life to its fullest because there is no reason NOT to live life to its fullest. Assume cooler heads will prevail. Planning for Armageddon is something for religious kooks. It's pointless and depressing and unproductive. Go out for some nice long hikes and keep playing great chess.
AHOSTAR AHOSTAR 3/31/2022 10:34
Cuidado con esas palabras, en el momento que tocas la palabra "revolución". Directamente estas siendo un terrorista, el cual debe ser condenado por el gobierno de turno, no c puede pedir que "hermanos rusos peleen contra otros rusos", no es la forma de solucionar las cosas. Este muchacho no c esta midiendo en sus declaraciones, es grave.
Serse Serse 3/31/2022 10:13
You deserve respect Mr. Dubov.
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