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Reactions to Kramnik's retirement
2/15/2019 – Kramnik's sudden retirement from tournament chess caused great consternation among chess fans and his fellow professionals alike. Numerous players have commented on Twitter, and so have ChessBase readers. We sample the growing body of reactions, as we celebrate the release of a new entry in our Masterclass video series.
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No more classical chess for Vladimir Kramnik
The response has been pouring in, both on Twitter an in our comments section on the announced retirement of the 14th World Champion Vladimir Kramnik. Although it appears he will no longer fight in the World Championship cycle, we're willing to bet we haven't seen the last of Kramnik behind the board.
His rivals
Most reactions were flattering:
Vlady,a friend,rival and confidant. One of the most influential chess players of our times.His rivalry was a constant inspiration.I will miss his dry humour at tournaments. For me you will always be the Big Vlad from 89. All the best Vlady in your new avatar.#VladimirKramnik
— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) January 29, 2019
It's a sad day for chess. Another giant leaves the game earlier than we all would hope for.Vladimir Kramnik leaves an incredible legacy behind him. Almost every opening line played in last 25 years has his major input.Thanks maestro https://t.co/1xgAAJ0rcR https://t.co/1xgAAJ0rcR
— Levon Aronian (@LevAronian) January 29, 2019
Farewell to one of the great legends of modern chess! https://t.co/i3f2YMqLMT
— Hikaru Nakamura (@GMHikaru) January 29, 2019
Can't really imagine chess without Kramnik. He was always there, just a year older than me, and miles better at everything - an unattainable ideal to aspire to. Be well, and good luck with everything in the years to come.
— Peter Svidler (@polborta) January 29, 2019
Kramniks influence on modern opening strategy cannot be overestimated. Obviously the Berlin, but noteworthyly Caruanass choice of the Petroff and Magnus of the Sveshnikov against 1 e4 are both openings modernized by Kramnik.
— Peter Heine Nielsen (@PHChess) January 30, 2019
Very sad to hear about the retirement of Vladimir Kramnik. It was an honour to play him several times, including as an 11-year-old (see below). He also taught me a lesson at last year's Olympiad. A true gentleman and one of my favourite players. #legendofchess pic.twitter.com/EzWalUSbHU
— David Howell (@DavidHowellGM) January 29, 2019
Magnus Carlsen responded with a bit of black humour:
Later today, FIDE will announce the wildcards for the candidates have been abolished
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) January 29, 2019
In an interview with Jan Gustafsson — one of his seconds in recent World Championship matches — he said there was no animosity between the two, and in fact Magnus recalled that Kramnik had been his sparring partner before the 2015 World Blitz and Rapid Championship in Berlin.
"I was desperately searching for another jibe...Vlad's quote about Nakamura from a few years ago whe he was asked whether [Nakamura] could become World Champion, and he said something along the lines of 'maybe when we all retire' and I couldn't find that quote so I came up with the next best thing."
"I read the book Kramnik my Life and Games...and that became one of my very favourite books growing up. I absolutely loved his way of playing, his style, and just the richness of ideas in his play, which is still there. So, I admire him very much and that's not going to change."
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Chess professionals
Nigel Short, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Fiona Steil-Antoni weighed in during a Question and Answer session in Gibraltar:
"The main issue is just that people lose the enthusiasm to keep on working."
Kramnik announces his retirement from professional #chess. It was an honor to be his faithful assistant for almost ten years, sharing together so many moments. I learned a lot by his side. I'll always remember him in London 2000, when he radiated incredible energy and willpower! pic.twitter.com/CTJzWECEQl
— Miguel Illescas (@illescasmiguel) January 29, 2019
#Kramnik The first player to break Kasparov - his career could be remembered for that alone. But there is also a wonderful legacy of games, and a gent on and off the board.
— Daniel King (@DanielKingChess) January 29, 2019
Vladimir Kramnik retiring is a sad day for chess. He has given so much to the game and will especially be remembered as the man who took the title from Garry Kasparov at a time when that seemed impossible. Big Vlad, we hope you reconsider. You are loved and respected by all! https://t.co/NioiHkeUz9
— Maurice Ashley (@MauriceAshley) January 29, 2019
Vladimir Kramnik is one of the greatest players of all time and certainly one of the most influential figures for our understanding of the game. His understanding and creativity is something I've always admired. Sad to see him leave competitive chess.
— Fabiano Caruana (@FabianoCaruana) January 29, 2019
Vladimir Kramnik retiring from #chess is really an end of an era. Back in 2000 he accomplished what few thought was possible, when he dethroned Garry Kasparov. Generations of chess players looked up to him and drew inspiration from his extraordinary opening ideas. https://t.co/aCCua6Ldzp
— Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen (@VCmilyte) January 29, 2019
Kramnik just announced his retirement from professional chess. He was one of the great players of his generation. He has deep knowledge and understanding of chess. What are some of his chess accomplishments which stand out in your minds? @ruchess_eng @FIDE_chess @EuropeEchecs pic.twitter.com/ifaxhuTnTn
— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) January 29, 2019
Vladimir Kramnik bows out after a magnificent career. His #chess has been often exquisite, and always instructive. I might add that I know exactly what he means about flagging motivation.
— Nigel Short (@nigelshortchess) January 29, 2019
An early photo of the 14th World #Chess Champion, Vladimir Kramnik. (Photo from Kramnik family archives.) pic.twitter.com/AWwXnySbQN
— Douglas Griffin (@dgriffinchess) January 29, 2019
Kramnik told me a few years ago at the London Classic that when he felt he couldn't maintain his true level then he'd call it a day. He gave it one last punt in Wijk but it was clear that the spark had gone. He is a true champion and wish him all the best in his future endeavours
— Lawrence Trent (@LawrenceTrentIM) January 29, 2019
The new Kramnik, aka "I was completely winning", was much funnier than the old one, one of the greatest chess players ever. Don't know which one I'll miss the most. Thanks VK for all the fresh ideas brought to the chess board.
— Romain Edouard (@romain_edouard) January 29, 2019
What a career, what a player! Hats off Vladimir Kramnik #WorldChampion
— Sebastien Mazé (@mazetovic) January 29, 2019
Say it isn't so! The Russian Chess Federation seems to have been blind-sided and still call him back into service for the 2020 Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk:
Vladimir Kramnik announces end of professional career. RCF President hopes that 14th World Champion will play at Chess Olympiad-2020. Photo: Eteri Kublashvili https://t.co/FavEzQjpEL pic.twitter.com/kSBldhPC29
— RCF (@ruchess_eng) January 29, 2019
Even an artist laments:
Vladimir Kramnik. The best nose in chess to draw pic.twitter.com/R3poadtk81
— Willum Morsch (@WillumTM) February 5, 2019
ChessBase authors
IMs Lawrence Trent and Merij van Delft each featured Kramnik's games in recent episodes of The Weekly Show and Game of the Week:
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ChessBase readers
When the news broke last month, it bumped Kramnik onto our Hot Topics list thanks to the many reader comments.
yesenadam
Noooo. He was 2817.8 (personal best) not long ago! - in October 2016. What a shame. I was hoping the 'new' fun Kramnik could enjoy a long successful phase. One of my very favourite players, a funny guy and thoughtful speaker. There's no-one whose name I got more pleasure out of seeing in a tournament lineup. I hope to see him banter blitzing sometime, that would be amazing. Thank you for all the incredible contributions to the chess world! (Apart from the Berlin hehe)
twamers
Always a shame to see a truly great player retire but Kramnik has been a top player for so many years. I attended some of the London 2000 World Championship games when he became World Champion and also met him at the London Chess shop in July 2000 where he autographed his book of games for me. A treasured book. A real top person and a fantastic player who has added greatly to the history of chess and who I wish a very happy future for in his new endeavours.
Checkravuh
A legend and one of the greatest players of the game.
All the best for future!
sshivaji
please say this is early "April Fool's". Kramnik will be missed at the board :(
Links
Kramnik is just the latest elite chess players to retire earlier than he would have if chess960 (FRC) was a more prominent companion to classical chess. Vlad is not tired of playing chess, he is tired of constantly studying the latest avalanche of opening minutiae. I believe this was also a factor about why Kasparov retired even though he was a top rated player at the time. I read a statement by Karpov that partly blamed, very directly, the constant demands of opening study under classical chess's inflexible endless reuse of just one starting setup position. Are or inflexible rules are killing off our great players before their time? (Gene Milener)
sad to read
nd he retires still rated higher than Topalov!!! Bo-Ya Baby!!!
Sad to see you go Vlad but lots of great memories.
Sad to see you go Vlad but lots of great memories.
Yes, with a few exceptions, midlife is about the time professional chess becomes too much to bear. Especially in this age of computers and exhaustive analyses. Humans may be living longer (or rather, dying later) but they were never getting any younger.
Kramnik came very close to winning the candidates to qualify for playing Anand in 2013. Had he played for a draw in his final game, he would have had a great opportunity to recapture the world championship.
@marselos - Big Vlad is still alive ^^ He quit competitive chess, but his new projects might be related to chess.
This article is a very nice tribute
Vladimir Kramnik: A true gentleman, family man, fierce competitor, one who set the standard for deep opening preparation (along with Kasparov and Anand), great sense of humour, one of the greatest players ever.. and - not everyone may know this - but also an incredible chess analyst. Though we won't see him playing classical anymore, I do hope and anticipate that he will play the occasional simul, rapid, blitz, or some such event, and of course keep promoting the game... On behalf of chess players everywhere, thank you, GM Kramnik.
He was a great man.
After him chess is only a videogame.
After him chess is only a videogame.
Must be SO many slightly lesser players than Vlad [and lets be honest here, that is almost everybody but the very top elite] absolutely delighted never again to have to face him over the board anymore.
Best praise I can think of!
Best praise I can think of!
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