Vassily IVANCHUK: “I was thrown out of the saddle”

After the loss in the Round 2, Vassily Ivanchuk looked like a broken-hearted man. It was obvious: he is a genius; it is just difficult to stand up to the loss to the young and unknown So Wesley from the Philippines. Undoubtedly, these were the emotions which caused him to declare that he would stop his professional chess player career.

•  I committed chess suicide, - starts Ivanchuk. – In the first game all went ok, I was about to win. I was almost sure that I was winning! And then… then, I just went crazy. At one point, I could make a stalemate, but my position seemed to have good perspectives and I decided to continue playing. Perhaps the decision was right, if it were not for time trouble. Having two minutes against ten, you are doomed to failure. So, the result is obvious: an inadequate situation estimation which led to a tragedy. In the second game I, was trying to make a draw, but I missed something. My opponent, by the way, played very badly.

•  Have you every followed the games of So Wesley? How can you define him?

•  Of course I have seen some games. I could define certain characteristics, but I see no sense in it. I am not objective now.

•  You previous visits to Khanty Mansiysk could not be called successful, as well. Do you think that the main reason is that you play a lot during a year.

•  It has nothing to do with the number of games! My unlucky days started when I could not win against Vladimir Kramnik in the final round of the Tal Memorial in Moscow. But I could have!. The real tragedy started after this. I was so unlucky at the Moscow FIDE World blitz championship, as I have never been unlucky in all my life. I blundered all possible pieces: queen, rooks, and pawns. At that blitz tournament, it was as if I was thrown out of a saddle. And plus, I was losing.

To my mind, I should leave the professional chess now. Chess will become a hobby for me from now on. As for the signed contracts, yes, I will play in all tournaments where I have to. Perhaps I will even participate in a tournament before the New Year. I should win SOMETHING! And that will be the end. No serious plans, no professional goals.

•  It is just one mini match. You should not lose hope.

It was not just a match, it was a crucial match. I am sure, from now on I should forget about any serious goals in chess. I don't need anything from chess anymore. I start a new life with new goals. Chess… I will become just a chess fan now. I will follow chess; will follow the games of my ex-colleagues.