We formulated ten questions related to Developing Chess Talent and every Monday we'll ask them to an interesting personality in the chess world.
1. Please introduce yourself (name, age, nationality, etc.)!
Sune Berg Hansen, 38 years old (soon 39), Danish grandmaster, 5 times Danish champion.
2. What is your role in the chess world?
Dunno :) I play for Hamburg in the German Bundesliga and I play for Denmark at the Olympiad. I am ranked around 500 in the world. I've been writing a daily chess column for the second largest newspaper in Denmark for ten years now. I consider myself a serious amateur.
3. How did you develop your chess talent as a kid?
I read a lot of books! By the way I don't believe in 'talent' – I think all talents become good by deliberate practice.
4. Who had a profound influence on your chess development?
My grandfather and I played in the hollidays and he was pretty good for a 'homeplayer' (strength around 1400) - when I started beating him (when he didn't lose on purpose) I decided to take chess serious. I started in a chess club at the age of 12.
5. What are your favourite sports besides chess?
Football.
6. What would be your advice for young people?
Get an education and only do things you find interesting and enjoy.
7. What has your main concern in life besides chess?
I am now a professional poker player and that takes a lot of time and effort - but it is fun.
8. What is the best chess game you played?
I don't know - haven't played it yet? - but maybe my win against Emanuel Berg last year - really enjoyed that game.
9. What's your connection with 'Developing Chess Talent'?
Merijn and his dad are into it and I know them - good people :)
10. What question do you miss and what would be your answer?
How long does it take to become a grandmaster? It takes 10 years or approx. 10.000 hours of deliberate practice. That goes for everybody - even Kasparov :)
Background information - These interviews are produced for the Facebook Group Developing Chess Talent
- Chessvibes is hosting them here and they will be linked to from the Facebook Group
- The book Developing Chess Talent is written by Karel van Delft and Merijn van Delft and can be ordered via www.chesstalent.com
We formulated ten questions related to Developing Chess Talent and every Monday we'll ask them to an interesting personality in the chess world.1. Please introduce yourself (name, age, nationality, etc.)!
Sune Berg Hansen, 38 years old (soon 39), Danish grandmaster, 5 times Danish champion.2. What is your role in the chess world?
Dunno :) I play for Hamburg in the German Bundesliga and I play for Denmark at the Olympiad. I am ranked around 500 in the world. I've been writing a daily chess column for the second largest newspaper in Denmark for ten years now. I consider myself a serious amateur.3. How did you develop your chess talent as a kid?
I read a lot of books! By the way I don't believe in 'talent' – I think all talents become good by deliberate practice.4. Who had a profound influence on your chess development?
My grandfather and I played in the hollidays and he was pretty good for a 'homeplayer' (strength around 1400) - when I started beating him (when he didn't lose on purpose) I decided to take chess serious. I started in a chess club at the age of 12.5. What are your favourite sports besides chess?
Football.6. What would be your advice for young people?
Get an education and only do things you find interesting and enjoy.7. What has your main concern in life besides chess?
I am now a professional poker player and that takes a lot of time and effort - but it is fun.8. What is the best chess game you played?
I don't know - haven't played it yet? - but maybe my win against Emanuel Berg last year - really enjoyed that game.9. What's your connection with 'Developing Chess Talent'?
Merijn and his dad are into it and I know them - good people :)10. What question do you miss and what would be your answer?
How long does it take to become a grandmaster? It takes 10 years or approx. 10.000 hours of deliberate practice. That goes for everybody - even Kasparov :)