Khalifman aims to preserve chess tradition
SANUR, Bali (JP): For Russian Grand Master Alexander Khalifman, chess is a matter of problem solving, not merely a game.
Speaking to The Jakarta Post after finishing his sixth-round match at the JAPFA Classic International Tournament on Friday, Khalifman said he fell in love with the game because chess accommodated his thought process.
He discovered at an early age his special talent, which made him different from other kids his age. His preference for solving logical rather than abstract problems motivated him to study mathematics at then Leningrad University in his hometown of St. Petersburg, formerly known as Leningrad.
"When I was a boy, I liked all kinds of competition. But I just have such an ability to store a lot of information. For example, when I was four, I already knew the capitals of all the countries in the world while other kids had just learned to read.
"I am also very eager to solve all logical problems. Maybe I'm not a pure sportsman, I mean I am more like a competitor. First of all, I see myself as a researcher; sometimes the best solution for some interesting position is much more important than the sport itself," said Khalifman, who was born on Jan. 18, 1966.
In 1986, Khalifman, who speaks Russian, English and German, wanted to take part in the Soviet National Chess Championships, forcing him to choose between chess and his studies.
"At that time, a faculty deputy who was responsible for student affairs told me that as a student of this college, they couldn't let me go. I replied that I had passed all the necessary examinations, so what's the problem? Everything was OK, but I must play."
"Then the official said: 'No, no. As a player, you probably must. As a student, you can't.' I was in conflict, but I decided to play in the tournament. I didn't graduate, but I think I got enough mathematics knowledge and everything I could get from the university except the formal certificate," he said, adding that he did not win the tournament but finished first in one of the featured events.
Khalifman had passed the point of no return, and he has never regretted his decision.
"I was quite young at that time. I wasn't a Grand Master yet. It would be just another life if I refused to play in the tournament and stayed at the university, but my life is still there, things I want (like competing in) the world championships," he said.
What he does regret is all the time he must spend away from his wife Sofia, 32, and their eight-year-old daughter.
"My problem is that I don't have a lot of time to spend with my family. That's quite bad."
Khalifman said he established the Grand Master Chess School in his hometown in 1998, to teach local youths how to play chess while at the same time providing employment opportunities. He also chairs the Grand Master Council.
"Historically, St. Petersburg has a great tradition of chess. There are young kids who start playing chess, but there are also some talented players above the master level who range in age from 18 to 19.
"We admit these players due to their qualifications. The Soviet Union used to support all sports, including chess, but the support has completely disappeared now. So the qualified coaches and players were unemployed, so I asked them to do some coaching.
"I shouldn't say that I have done a great thing. I do what I have to do. They have stable jobs now and for the younger generation, they will not let this tradition disappear."
The school is a serious matter for Khalifman, who learned chess from his father and plans to remain active in the game long after he retires from competition.
Khalifman, whose elo rating is 2656, brushed aside allegations his victory at the FIDE World Championships in Las Vegas last year was mere luck.
"There are many comments like this, but all these comments come from amateurs. I don't win all the tournaments, but I think I play at a certain good level. I think I belong to the group of the world's best players, along with GM Judit Polgar and GM Anatoly Karpov. I might be not the very best, but I think in sports, the world champion is supposed to think, concentrate and play well at the very right moment. I beat all my opponents in the world championships and they are good players. So, I just played well there," he said.
He admitted he was not the type of consistent player who won each tournament he competed in, but he dismissed luck as the reason for his victories. (ivy)