Ivanchuk, Polgar, Akobian Interviews
The interviews above, and more, are all accessible from the World Cup home page. They're short and less than ideally translated, but they're better than nothing. Or at least, most of them are: the Ivanchuk interview has an almost apocalyptic tone. Here are some excerpts:
To my mind I should leave the professional chess now. Chess becomes 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.
...
• (Questioner:) It is well known – chess and Ivanchuk cannot exist separately.
• This is right but in the past. And now chess is killing me. Chess is playing against me! Chess is destroying me! I would take it easy if my opponent would be much stronger than me, or he will be better prepared. But my loss was so stupid, it is a destiny sign, which screams: “Vasya, leave it, it is not your business”.
...
• There is an impression that you put all stakes on this tournament?
Maybe. But now I only feel that the world crashed down around me. Everyone is against me and I don't see the way out…