IT IS HARD TO REPEAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS

The World Chess Cup under way in Baku brings together the strongest grandmasters of the world. Veselin Topalov, Vladimir Kramnik, Sergey Karjakin, Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, Boris Gelfand, Peter Svidler, Levon Aronyan and many others have come to Baku. After all, World Cup finalists will have the opportunity to play in the candidates tournament for the chess crown. Overall, the tournament, which runs from 11 September to 5 October, involves a total of 128 players.

Tournament regulations allow chess players of any level to compete on a par with the world's well-known grandmasters and move all the way to the finals. Thus, former world champions Veselin Topalov and Vladimir Kramnik have already left the tournament.

Winner of the 2013 World Cup Vladimir Kramnik lost to Dmitry Andreykin in the third round. In an interview with R+, the Russian chess player said Andreykin was an unlucky opponent for him: "He always plays well against me. And in all our encounters to date, if I'm not mistaken, the score is not in my favor. We drew the classical games, but in the tie-breaks success was on Andreykin's side. Thus, I have stopped my journey in the World Cup."

Interestingly, in the final of World Cup 2013, Kramnik beat Andreykin. "I won two years ago. this time, the tie-break was unsuccessful for me. I would not say that this was some kind of a revenge. The opponent simply won. I wish him further success," Kramnik said.

He said he wanted to win the World Cup in Baku. "Until now, no-one has been able to win the World Cup twice in a row. I wanted to be the first to achieve this but, unfortunately, it didn't happen. Competition in the World Cup is very tough. Games are played almost every day. Only one day is allowed for rest and not every chess player can restore strength in such a short time. 

Therefore, it is not easy to fight to the end. Please note that players such as Kamsky and Gelfand have already been knocked out," the former world champion said.

Kramnik stopped short of predicting the final outcome of the World Cup and refused to speculate on the finalists. "There are still a few stages ahead of us. So I can't say who will play in the final. Each player aspires to get into the finals to win a ticket to the candidates tournament. To name the finalists, we will have to wait at least for the semi-finals. Among Azerbaijani chess players I can point to Sahriyar Mammadyarov, who shows a very good level of play. Home soil seems to encourage him a lot."

Speaking about the organization of the competition, the world champion said he feels good in Azerbaijan. "There is no need for commenting on organizational aspects of the tournament. Everything was at the highest level. The players' attention is focused on the World Cup. This is why we sometimes do not have the opportunity to notice all the details. For example, I was told that we were fed dishes of both European and Azerbaijani cuisine. I did not notice this. I usually ate in a hurry, because there was little time left for the games, and I had time to prepare. Initially it was hard to get up in the morning because of the time difference with Europe. I got used to that later, but I still can't wake up early in the morning. I had the same problem in Shamkir. I want to emphasize the hotel in which the World Cup is being held. It is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever seen in my life."

Kramnik also noted that in his free time he roots for FC Barcelona. "When there is an opportunity, I walk in the open air a couple of hours. I wanted to watch some football, did could not. I watch the progress of Russian clubs in European competitions. Of course, I watch the games of Barcelona. I do not conceal that I am an ardent fan of this club. I remember watching it play in its own stadium. It was one of the first games involving Messi. Leo showed a very different football. Since then, he has drawn my attention. Messi is a great footballer and team leader."

The rating favorite of the World Cup, Veselin Topalov, also shared his views on the importance of the tournament and his lost game. The former world champion said that he took his defeat to Russia's Peter Svidler in the fourth round quite normally. "At the World Cup, each game is very difficult. Even the leaders may leave the tournament early on. I made mistakes in the game with Svidler. I made a few moves without assessing their prospects. But I'm not very worried. Winning all the time is impossible. Before me, Svidler beat Teymur Racabov. In theoretical terms, Racabov is a more uncomfortable opponent for me. So far, I have won against Teymur only once. He also has one win against me. All other games between us ended in a draw. In this sense, it would be difficult to play him. With such regulations, several players leave the competition at each stage. This time I am among them. I'm not upset. To participate in any competition in Baku is a great joy."

The fact that the Bulgarian chess player is not very disappointed with his defeat is understandable. The finalists of the World Cup will have the opportunity to participate in the Candidates Tournament. But Topalov has already secured a place in the tournament due to his high ELO rating. "I played in the World Cup to achieve a good result. Due to my rating I will join the candidates tournament anyway. According to FIDE rules, I had to take part either in the Grand Prix or the World Cup. Since I was not involved the Grand Prix, I had to play in the World Cup. I came to Baku to show a good game. In the Candidates Tournament, there will be a completely different preparation and goals."

Topalov, who has been showing a stable level of play in recent months, commented on the dramatic progress in his career. "I'm completely calm. I try to enjoy every tournament although I am 43 years old, which is a lot for chess. Some people parted with chess at this age. Due to some reasons I also thought about that. I did not play for some time. But then I began to do what I like. I think I can stay in good shape for a few more years. The main thing is to enjoy the game and not to push yourself."

As for the organizational side of the tournament, Topalov said that chess players had been provided with all necessary conditions. "I want to thank the organizers. It was one of the finest tournaments in the history of the World Cup. It is certainly a great pleasure to play in such conditions. I have been to Baku several times, and each time I left it with great impressions. This city and its people are great. Next year, Baku will host the Chess Olympiad. I am sure that Baku will once again surprise everyone with the exemplary organization of the competition. It will be very difficult for subsequent organizers to emulate this level. After Azerbaijan, any country will find it difficult to hold competitions in chess. Many are unable to organize everything at such a high level."

Talking about future plans, Topalov said that he wants to achieve another success playing for chess club SOCAR-Azerbaijan. "I will continue to play for SOCAR-Azerbaijan. I would like to win the European Cup again. The club has strong players. Each victory presents you with wonderful emotions. I will try to quickly forget the World Cup and concentrate on the European Cup between clubs. New trials are in store for us in November."