Kirill Alekseenko: There Should Be No Wild Cards In The Candidates' Tournament
Kirill Alekseenko gave this interview to Oleg Barantsev back in mid-January, and it was posted in the Check and Mate blog at sports.ru in early February.
You can find a lot of photos in the original Russian article. For some reason, I'm having troubles inserting them into the blog post.
https://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/checkmate/2720091.html
World Cup and Grand Swiss
How did you manage to achieve such a great form for two strongest tournaments of the year?
This was an accident. I played in many tournaments in a row, and towards the World Cup and Grand Swiss I played really well. I didn't conserve much strength for the tournaments at the end of the year though, I've played on sheer willpower.
The year started badly. The progress began after the Grenke supertournament in April, when I was Peter Svidler's second. After that, I played successfully at the Russian Team Championship.
What kind of result did you plan for the World Cup and Grand Swiss?
It's hard to plan for such difficult tournaments, when a lot of things depends on luck and pairings. At the World Cup, when I saw the grid, I wanted to reach Ding Liren at the very least; I thought that I could handle everyone else, and Ding was the favourite. At the beginning of the tournament, I thought I wouldn't be upset if Ding Liren eliminated me, but after a good run, I was upset by the games.
In the second game against Ding Liren, you had obvious advantage...
Yes, I was quite close to victory...
Why you couldn't convert it?
I wanted to convert my advantage in the endgame, didn't want to take risks. I had to leave the queens on the board, try to organize a mating attack. The bishop+knight vs. rook (with pawns) endgame is drawn, Ding defended very well.
You lost both games in the rapid play-off, got swept off the board in the first one. Did you burn out?
Before the games, I though I still had enough strength. It's like long-distance running: you think you still have enough strength for a finishing spurt, but it's not that simple.
I rested, had a good sleep, prepared, but before the first game, I couldn't think straight. In the second game, I managed to recover, but I think he was tired and nervous too. He gave me good chances to catch up, but I missed a piece capture in one move.
Were you happy with your World Cup performance?
Of course. Especially considering I was eliminated in a rapid play-off.
Let's talk Grand Swiss.
I obviously didn't have any plans to qualify for the Candidates' Tournament. (Smiles.) I did want to finish in top 10 and play more games against elite players - there aren't many tournaments where you can play against them. In the last five rounds, I had 2700+ players (and also Grischuk in round 4), so I was happy in that regard as well. Both Carlsen, who doesn't need to qualify, and Caruana, who's already qualified, agreed to play.
You drew both Magnus Carlsen and Vishy Anand at the Grand Swiss. Were you afraid of playing the great champions?
Strangely enough, given my tournament situation, I didn't want to play them. I felt that I was playing very well and could compete for the top 5 or even top 3, but when you play Magnus, who has an unbeaten streak of almost 100 games, and you need to defeat him... It's not a good pairing.
I wasn't afraid. I got a small plus in the opening, thought I could press a little, but Magnus defended very precisely. In the end, I had to find precise moves too; there was a pretty cooperative mate, but I didn't walk into it. (Laughs.)
With Anand, I had my dullest game of the entire tournament: I couldn't get anything out of the opening, and he equalized very easily.
I played my first classical games against Magnus and Vishy in that tournament.
Can you say that this result was positive?
No, I had White in both games.
Did you want more?
Certainly. You always want to win with White.
Win over Sergey Karjakin was decisive. Can you describe your emotions during the game?
From the very beginning, the game went along unbeaten roads. After the third move, there were only four games in the database.
I didn't expect 1. Nf3, and Sergey didn't expect my reaction. After the 4th move, we started to think a lot, and spent more than 1.5 hours combined for the first 7 moves.
Karjakin sacrificed a piece at move 8. Was the sacrifice correct?
I checked it, it was interesting, but in all variants, Black aren't worse off. Interesting positions, sharp, but with good counterattacking chances for Black.
In the middle of the game, Sergey implicitly offered you a draw by repeating moves. Draw didn't satisfy you?
My position was already won. I was in heavy time trouble since move 10, and when he gave checks, I've been trying to avoid threefold repetition, so I placed my king onto different squares to reach the 40th move. After that, it was only a matter of technique.
What emotions did you have during the game, besides worrying about threefold repetition?
I was glad to play a very consistent game, from beginning till the end. It doesn't often happen that you never make a mistake, you see it all. I think it's the best game...
...of the tournament?
Of the tournament, of the year, or maybe even of my entire career.
But everything could change in the last game against Nikita Vitiugov. I think you were both very nervous, because if either of you won, it guaranteed (or almost guaranteed) you a Candidates' spot. Did you calculate the odds before or during the game with Nikita?
Sadly, it very soon became clear that we both lost our chances after we saw David Howell quickly losing to Wang Hao at the adjacent table.
Before the game, I didn't want to take much risk, Nikita is a highly-qualified player, it's hard to defeat such players on demand.
What did you think about Vitiugov's attitude? Did he want to win too or, seeing you in top form, decided to take a cautious approach with Black?
We actually were in a similar situation before, in one of the last rounds of the Russian championship Superfinal. I had White, we both needed a win, Nikita played aggressively in a French, the game was very difficult. There was a moment when I managed to seize the initiative, the game was won, but I couldn't find the win.
This time, he decided to play cautiously, the game was largely positional. The whole game was roughly equal, then, shortly before the control, Nikita underestimated the defence, launched an attack, I even had an extra pawn, but it was very far from win.
Wang Hao quickly won and received the only Candidates' spot up for grabs. You understood that there were no chances to overtake him - only to catch up, but he was still ahead of you in the tie breaks (average rating of opponents).
Still, I wanted to go out with a bang. I had a good position with some winning chances, and I played on while I had these chances. It was the last round, I used all my remaining strength.
When did you learn that you finished third?
Immediately after the game. During the game, I had other things on my mind. I haven't seen the coefficients; I knew that Wang Hao would still be ahead of me even if I win, but I didn't know that I would get the 3rd place if I draw. I had serious competition: Levon Aronian, Hikaru Nakamura, David Guijarro.
And you immediately understood that you had chances to qualify for the Candidates'?
Theoretically. But it was before Alexander Grischuk and Ian Nepomniachtchi qualified through Grand Prix. At that moment, there were still three places in the Candidates' up for grabs.
Your third place ended up "golden" in the end. What would happen if Alexander Grischuk and Ian Nepomniachthi didn't qualify through Grand Prix? Would there be a three-way match tournament, or they'd send either of them instead of you?
Yes, there were official talks about a match, so I was ready to play such a match if necessary.
When Andrei Filatov, Russian Chess Federation head, declared that you would get the Candidates' spot, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave's manager wrote an open letter calling for a MVL - Alekseenko match. If RCF suddenly agreed for that condition, would you be ready to play?
I think I wouldn't have a choice, but all rules were written beforehead. By the way, I agree that there should be no wild cards in the Candidates' Tournament, every participant should qualify through sporting merits.
I feel very sorry for Maxime; in the previous cycle, he finished 9th too...
What would've you felt in MVL's place?
It's very hard... When you fail to qualify for the Candidates' Tournament once, you can sort of power through that, but in such a situation... It's very, very upsetting.
Maxime had been one of the best elite players for years, and he deserves to play in a Candidates' Tournament, but FIDE rules should be obeyed.
Candidates' Tournament
Andrei Filatov referred to you as a "dark horse" of the Candidates' Tournament. What's your own take?
I'm satisfied with the "dark horse" role. Nobody expects big results from me, no pressure at all.
For the Candidates' Tournament participants, you're a virtual unknown, since you haven't played classical chess against the majority of them. Whose preparation would be easier: yours for them or theirs for you?
I think I'll have it easier. There's a lot of information about them, they've been playing the same openings for years. And I played much fewer games, with only a small amount against the strongest players; I don't have an opening repertoire per se, so that might be useful.
You said you wanted to win the Candidates' Tournament. Is this healthy ambition, or you're trying to psychologically intimidate your opponents, boxing-style?
Of course it's ambition - you don't get to play in such a tournament every day. It's the first Candidates' for Ian Nepomniachtchi too, and Maxime couldn't qualify at all. This is a big opportunity for a young player. I'm sure that all eight participants are gunning for the first place. You either win all or get nothing.
Whose playing style is most difficult for you? Or most comfortable, on the other hand?
It's hard to say anything about the players I've never played against. Of those whom I did play against, I would single out Alexander Grischuk. I've played two games against him, and I really felt the depth of his playing. He's playing slowly, but with big ideas, it's very hard to play against him.
All in all, there are no comfortable opponents. Everyone is incomfortable. (Laughs.)
Andrei Lukin is your main coach. Who's going to help you, in addition to him?
I have a team, but I won't name names until the tournament starts.
Will you play in any tournaments before the Candidates'? [The interview was conducted on 17th January.]
Gibraltar Open starts in a few days. My main goal is to warm up, look at chess pieces again. My last classical tournament was in November, so it would be hard to spend four months without a classical tournament. I'm not exhausted, like I was in late 2019, I'm ready to play.
Will you play your main openings, or try to obfuscate your opponents' preparation?
It's hard to say. I may indeed hide my preparation, haven't really been thinking about that. I'll just go with the flow. (Smiles.)
[Additional commentary from the beginning of February: Of course, I would like to play better, but I'm satisfied that even with such mediocre playing, I've managed to go the full distance without losing.
My relationship with MVL is good. He was unhappy about qualification system, rather than me personally.]
Playing style
Can you describe your playing style?
(Long pause) I think other people can do that better. I think I'm always trying to play deeply, searching for some way to initiate a fight. If I have a choice between simplifications and complications, I'll always choose the latter.
As many top players, you're playing Italian a lot. Why is it so popular now?
The main reason is that it's still not studied as well as, say, the Scotch or the Ruy Lopez, you've got more room for improvization. There are more fresh positions, with more pieces on the board and more problems you can create for the opponent.
As an amateur, I was impress by your win against Evgeny Levin in the 2019 Russian Team Championship, when you refuted the adage "Rook endings cannot be won". Did your opponent defend not particularly well, or were you channeling your inner Magnus?
I had a good game. Chose a good opening, got a quiet position where Black isn't worse and even has some chance to turn things around. Then Evgeny made a couple of small mistakes, and we got into that rook ending.
At the beginning, of course, it was drawn, but after 28... Rd4, I started to besiege the e5 pawn. In time trouble, it's very hard for White to defend such a position, because there are multiple branches at each move, it's very hard to predict what would happen 10 moves later. When you have just 2 minutes on the clocks, it's hard to always choose the right move. This position is uncomfortable even without time trouble.
I was going to ask you about your best game after that, but you've answered it already...
I also rather like my first game against Harikrishna at the World Cup. Everything fell into place: the opening, the middlegame, the finishing touches. It's not often you get everything on one game.
Which player from the past influenced you the most?
From the past... (Long pause) I think it's Kasparov. Of course, if you can call him "a player from the past". (Laughs.)
Well, he retired when you were just starting playing, so for you, he's the past. And which players from the present influence you?
(Immediately) Grischuk. I admire his playing style. I can't say I'm imitating him, I'm trying to impose my playing more; but Alexander has certain qualities I would like to have too.
At the Rapid and Blitz World Championships at the end of 2019 you finished at modest +2. Blitz and rapid aren't your strongest suit?
Yes, I prefer classical chess, but let's remember that it was late in the year, I was very tired and just wanted to go through the tournament. I didn't want to miss such a tournament, but I undestood very well that I shouldn't aim high. I just wanted to play interesting chess and have fun.
You have won the Chigorin Memorial three times in a row, you even used to joke that you came there to "collect your wages". Do you like opens?
Yes, I won several big open tournaments, Rilton Cup, for instance. I like opens because there's time to come into form, you get weaker opponents in the first rounds, and so you have time to adapt. Especially if you come tired from studies or playing in another tournament, you get a bit of a rest in the first rounds.
How much time a day (or a week) do you devote to chess? How is your work structured?
The most difficult question. (Laughs.) I don't have a constant plan. I study chess 5 or 6 hours a day, on average. But this largely depends on tournaments. In the previos six months, I was constantly playing, so there was no time to study, I only rested between the tournaments. But now, the number is going to increase: I'm preparing for the Candidates' Tournament.
I'm mostly studying by myself. I used to visit Andrei Mikhailovich Lukin often - we would solve puzzles, look at openings - but now I don't come to him all that often.
Family
You were born in Vyborg and made your first steps in chess there. You moved to St. Petersburg at age 8, was it related to your chess successes in any way?
No, there were other reasons. My sister studied in St. Petersburg, my mom went there to work, and then I moved too. I finished the first grade in Vyborg, and then went to St. Petersburg.
Can you tell us a bit about your family?
I'm living with my mother now, she's a Russian language teacher. My sister works in St. Petersburg administration.
You studied in the Second Gymnasium in St. Petersburg. Why?
I've studied there since 3rd grade, they promised to help with travels: even back then, it was clear that there's a lot of kids' competitions, I'd had to leave two months a year for tournaments. And the administration held true to their word: I haven't had a single problem with that in 9 years.
Now you're in the St. Petersburg Polytechnical University. Why did you choose it? Do teachers and administrators understand why you're often missing classes? How are your grades?
The reason was the same: they gave me an opportunity to combine studying with travelling to tournaments. I can't say I'm a model student; I'm on the fourth year now, but I took academic leave once.
Sport
You like football, supporting Zenit and Liverpool. It's obvious why you chose Zenit, but why Liverpool?
I've started supporting them 10 or so years ago. Their first match that I saw was against Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinal. They lost 1-3 at home, and I watched the return match. Liverpool led 4-3, could score more, but conceded instead, and the game ended 4-4. The emotions were quite intense. I liked the club, great history, great fans. I admired Liverpool's captain, Steven Gerrard, he'd become my favourite player, so the choice was obvious.
Quique Setien became the new Barcelona manager. He's known as an avid chess fan, playing in simuls against Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik and Karjakin, and he even played football against Kasparov. Will you keep an eye on him?
He's a very interesting manager. I saw that he once was the assistant of Russian beach football national team manager. He's one of the most interesting managers in La Liga. As far as I remember, he's the last manager to beat Barcelona at Camp Nou. He also transformed Betis' playing in a good way, they qualified for Europe after a long absence... Watching this is pleasant.
He's also impressive as a chess player: his rating is 2055, a good Candidate Master.
Does chess help with playing football? How often do you hear the phrase, "football isn't chess, it requires you to think"?
Very often. I think it does. But it depends on your position on the field. I like playing as a central defensive midfielder, playing long balls, covering the whole width of the pitch. I like to read the opponents' moves and intercept the balls.
Magnus Carlsen
The world champion is known as a big football fan. Did you get to play football with him?
Yes. At the Rapid and Blitz World Championship, we had a Russian national team squad, managed by Pavel Tregubov. The team included Alexander Motylev, Daniil Yuffa, Evgeny Tomashevsky, Ilya Ilyushenok.
There were four teams in total: the world team, the FIDE team, the Moscow team and us. We played by knockout system, and we got Magnus' team in the semi-final. The score was 1-1 after full time, and we won on penalties. I scored my penalty, and Magnus missed his. We scored both penalties, they missed both.
It was similar in the final: 0-0 full time, then we scored two penalties.
So, you did defeat Magnus. What's he like on a football field?
Very similar to his chess style: always runs ahead, good stamina, doesn't get tired much, always ready to attack the goal. Often prefers individual actions such as dribbling to team play. He always wants to win on the football field. He's very ambitious.
Carlsen's unbeaten classical streak is now [as of January 17th] 112 games long. What's your longest streak?
I've never counted. 45 or 50 games probably, but can't be sure.
Magnus was #1 Fantasy Premier League player for a while. Do you play such games?
Yes, as an entertainment. On sports.ru, by the way.
Your team probably mostly features Liverpool players?
As far as I remember, you can't sign more than two players from one team. Otherwise, I would surely get the entire Liverpool squad.
Other interests
How do you rest from chess? Do you have other outlets, besides football?
I like to read books, watch TV series and movies.
What's the last book you read?
John L. Hennessy, Leading Matters. This is a book on leadership basics by the Stanford University president.
Your favourite movie?
Gladiator, I think.
I've gone through a lot of your photos in the search engines, and on most of them, you aren't smiling. Even on the photo with your first coach, Sergei Balyakin, you're still smiling more with your eyes than with your lips. Are you always this serious?
Most of those photos are made during the tournaments. It's hard when you leave all your strength in the games, and then someone gets your pictures over the board or after the games.
But even after Grand Swiss, when you finished third - a big success and a chance to qualify for the Candidates' - your colleagues are smiling, at least a bit, and you're serious.
You haven't seen the photos after I won something (Laughs), such as Rilton Cup.
After your latest successes, did you get a sponsor or support from the federation?
This is being discussed.
Would you like to have a personal sponsor?
Of course. (Smiles.)
