Another New Event: The European Rapid Championship
Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 1:39AM This two day event occurs this very weekend, in Warsaw. Top players include Gashimov, Ivanchuk, Shirov and World Cup semi-finalist Malakhov. The tournament website is here, while a perhaps slightly cocky interview with Gashimov can be read here. (At least the title is cocky. With all due credit to a man who has surpassed his countrymen Rajdabov and Mamedyarov and jumped to a very impressive #7 in the world ratings, it's hard to take seriously the implied claim that he'll pass the younger, higher-rated, Kasparov-trained Carlsen. [Assuming you think his passing people like Aronian and the three champs will be some sort of cakewalk.] On the other hand, it's probably fruitful for him to have that attitude, no matter if the belief itself is likely, possible, or an outright delusion.)
Reader Comments (3)
GM Gashimov's estimate that he can also become number 1 within 1-2 years might happen though remote because I don't believe he has a special chess talent compared to GMs Anand, Topalov, Kramnik, Ivanchuk, Aronian, Leko and most of all Magnus Carlsen. His chess style doesn't support his own opinion. Thus, it is watered.
As I pointed out at Chessvibes (where the discussion is already in full swing), Gashimov was sort of tricked into such a statement. The Q&A quote is
"BM (Bartlomiej Macieja): You are already 6th in the world in the current FIDE list, your rating continuously grows and there seems to be no limit. What do you think, when will you become the number 1?
VG: It simply requires a lot of work and a good play. Under such conditions I think in 1-2 years I can become even the number 1."
What should Gashimov's answer have been? If he said "never" he might well be accused of lack of ambition, and the little word "even" in his answer sort of implies that it's a best-case scenario that might not come true in the end.
So it may be "typical" journalism (poor or suggestive or clever?) by
1) Macieja to ask THAT question rather than a neutral "What are your plans and ambitions for the coming years?"
2) Peter Doggers from Chessvibes to choose this quote as the headline - my preferred one would have been the sad-but-true " I pay all my expenses and I don’t have any support."
Both Macieja and Doggers probably wanted to create extra attention for the interview, Macieja in turn making publicity for the rapid event.
Regarding my alternative quote: What is Gashimov's potential if he now gets sponsoring and a qualified trainer? Kasparov is "booked", but he is not the only one ... . Or is it already to late at his age of 23?
Only why does he begin every sentence with "In principle"?
I more or less agree with Thomas. Gashimov is young and among the top players in the world. Carlsen is probably not human, but from some Chess Planet, and looking at him it's easy to treat a 23-years old World No. 7 as a player without future. Truth be told, I wouldn't expect him to surpass the likes of Kramnik, Aronian, Topalov, Anand and of course Carlsen anytime soon, but he does have potential, and most likely he'll still be around when Anand, Kramnik, and Topalov retire.