On Saturday, Karyakin held a simultaneous gaming session with hockey players and coaches of the St. Petersburg SKA, as well as young students of the Red Machine Junior hockey school. SKA hockey players Alexander Nikishin, Stepan Starkov, Sergei Tolchinsky and Vasily Glotov took part in the match. It took place as part of the presentation of the “Chess and Hockey” project.
“During the military derby, I supported the SKA”
— Is it true that your son plays hockey?
– Yes, it’s true. My son is going to take lessons at the Machine Rouge. And in this Molodezhka complex, where the chess tournament took place, he plays hockey. We just played chess and in a few hours he will have a hockey match. So we will stay here all day.
— You were invited to the CSKA – SKA match (1:2)?
– Yes, I went there – it was a very interesting game. Thanks to the SKA club for the invitation. It was good that the guests took the initiative from the first minutes and took the lead. I supported SKA, of course. Because my son trains in the SKA system, and in addition, we are planning such a hockey-chess partnership with the military team. But overall, I was watching some great hockey. And the match was really exciting. Lots of collision course attacks. It was great.
— How did you perceive the verdict against figure skater Kamila Valieva?
– Of course, this is negative news. Very unpleasant. Once again, this is a politically motivated decision against Russia. But I think this can serve as a lesson to all of us: we are not welcome abroad.
We are not expected at the Olympic Games, which are only described as world games. But in fact, this is already an absolutely politicized tournament, for which there are first-class countries, and then there is everyone else. This is why I think there is simply no need to go to the Paris Olympics. This is my personal opinion. It is enough to develop the sport in the country and organize alternative competitions.
“I will be happy to come to the Friendship Games.”
— In 2024 alone, the two main competitions for Russia will be the BRICS Games and the Friendship Games. Is this interesting for chess players?
— As far as I remember, chess is part of the “Friendship Games”. These are great competitions and they represent the future. I believe they will be organized as large as possible and as comfortable as possible for the athletes. If I am invited, I will be happy to participate.
— You have traveled to Donbass several times and carried out charity work. What are your plans now?
— The fact is that I have now become Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin’s confidant. Therefore, before the presidential elections, I intend to focus on some pre-election activities. And then, of course, I will come back with pleasure. Because we have many projects, both with the Popular Front and with other organizations. We help our soldiers and the front as much as we can.
“Ian Nepomniachtchi never left”
— Ian Nepomniachtchi recently only became eighth at a tournament in the Netherlands. Do you think he will return to the highest level?
“I can say he never left.” A local failure means absolutely nothing. You could say it’s a work story. The most important is the Candidates Tournament, during which it will be determined who will enter the match with the world champion. This is where Ian Nepomniachtchi must try to prove himself. Yes, I understand there will be strong competition there, but we will see.
— A participant in a match for the chess crown will no longer automatically qualify for the Candidates Tournament. What do you think of this innovation?
— I think the winner of the previous Candidates Tournament should always be allowed to participate in the Candidates Tournament. Pardon the pun, but that’s exactly how it is. Because we still have to invite the strongest. I think this innovation is unnecessary.
— The Candidates Tournament will take place in Toronto in April. Who do you think is the favorite?
— I don’t remember exactly the exact composition, because there was a kind of confusion all the time. But there are strong Indians, although I still think the favorites are Ian Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana. I think one of these two will end up winning. But that’s just my personal opinion.
— Russian chess player Valentina Gunina admitted that she was undergoing psychological treatment and was losing concentration.
— I always support Valentina in a friendly way, we have known each other for many years. If I can be of use to him in any way, I am always ready to help him. And so I am aware of his situation. And I admire his recent victory at the World Blitz Championship. It is a magnificent achievement. My most sincere congratulations!
—Is there a chance that you and Carlsen will end up in the battle for the chess crown, as was the case in New York?
— Magnus Carlsen has had enough of failure. He has played five matches at the World Championship and is not yet planning to participate… We will see. It all depends on the general political situation.
— Carlsen doesn’t want to play with the Russians because of politics?
— He’s tired of failures. He does not want. I don’t want to for other reasons. Therefore, repeating our match for the chess crown is only possible hypothetically. There are a lot of conventions here.
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
