I have recently been interviewed Marcel Blanchard for the “e5!” magazine (Uruguay, in cooperation with the Russian “64 Chess Review” magazine).

1-Could you tell us about your city?

I live in Sararov. It’s a nice city with a population of about 1 million people, located on the brink of the Volga river, in the European part of Russia.

2-What do you like most about Russia?

Russia is a very large country, each part of it is wonderful, every city is beautiful in its own way. I like the diversity.

3-Have you considered moving to a different country? And what about Moscow?

Yes. When I was a child, I wanted to relocate to Spain. I like this country. Moscow also looks appealing to me.

4-I have read that you’re also a model. Is this true?

In some sense “yes”, I did have a couple of professional photo shoots. I like it.

5-Have you thought about playing in a movie?

No, I don’t want to be an actress :)

6-Have you ever been to Latin America?

No, I haven’t, but would be happy to visit it.

7-Do you know anything about Uruguay?

I haven’t heard a lot about it. But I’m a sports fan, so I know that you have a good football team.

8-What foreign languages do you speak?

English and a little Spanish.

9-Are you planning to study a new language?

I want to improve my English, and learn to fluently speak and understand Spanish.

10-What books or movies have had an influence on you?

Many of them. Antoine Exupery’s books. And I can’t name any particular movies.

11-Women chess. Do you think there is something absurd, false about this expression?

I guess this term can be used. Women chess is more unpredictable. But the expression will probably disappear once women start playing on par with men.

12-Do you feel the difference between playing against women and men?

I like playing with both women and men, for me there’s no difference.

13-Which chess player do you find to be the most attractive? I hope your husband is not going to get jealous! And what actor?

I won’t name anybody, that’s a bit personal :) As to actor – Tom Hanks.

14-What do you like most about men: their physical or psychological qualities?

First of all, the soul. But I also like attractive men :) I value such qualities as kindness, confidence, sense of humor. 

15-Chess players are often considered to be egoistic, dull and weird people. According to Freud, all of them are trying to compensate for the lack of personal life. A harmonious person wouldn’t play chess, especially professionally…

People say a lot of things about chess players :) But each person is unique, you can’t judge chess players in general. There are lots of interesting people in chess.

16- What do you feel when you lose a game of chess?

It used to upset me, but now I am more calm about it, treat losses like a lesson.

17- Do you keep thinking about the game after a loss? Does it disturb you?

No, I just draw conclusions and move on.

18- Do you read chess books and magazines?

Yes, I like the “64 Chess Review” and “New in chess” magazines, also read a lot of chess books, especially in Russian.

19- What chess books and magazines can you recommend?

The aforementioned magazines. There are many good books, it’s hard to recommend something in particular.

20- What chess level is it possible to reach for a regular person who takes chess seriously?

Depends on the person, his character and ambitions.

21- How do you train? Books, chess engines, blitz, openings, middlegame, endgame, chess studies?

All the aforementioned are part of the training routine :) I study on my own & with a coach.

22- Do you find solving chess problems and studies useful for practical chess?

Solving studies helps a lot, the quality of one’s game play increases.

23- Did you have a chance to mate with bishop and knight in a classical game?

Don’t think so.

24- When was the last time you blundered?

Don’t remember :)

25- Do you feel you have special genes, not like ordinary people do?

Each person is unique. So I don’t divide people into ordinary and special.

26- Does studying endgames make sense? How do you do it?

Studying endgames is a must. I enjoy solving chess studies and problems & may recommend Panchenko’s and Dvoretsky’s endgame manuals.

27-Your favorite color and color combination?

Blue. Various combinations are ok.

28-The perfect color for chess boards and pieces?

Classical: black and white and shades of brown, like at official tournaments.

29- Do you consume alcohol, which?

Rarely, mostly wine.

30- Smoking?

No, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone :)

31- Do you like active sports?

Yes, for example, football. When playing, I prefer to be a full-back.

32- Favorite perfume?

I like a lot of brands.

33- Favorite songs, groups?

There are many, among groups I’d mention A-ha.

34- What personal quality you like least in people?

Weakness.

35- And most?

Positiveness.

36-Your best quality?

Positivity.

37-And worst?

Diffidence.

38-What do you fear most?

Won’t tell :)

39-Which country would you like to visit?

France

40-How many hours a day do you study chess?

2-4 hours and more, depends on the mood

41- How long are you planning to play chess?

Don’t know, time will show.

42-Who is going to be the next world champion?

Probably, Kramnik again.

43-Which chess champion do you admire most (from Steinitz to Anand)?

Fischer, he was a great player and has done a lot for chess.

44- What do you think about Carlsen?

He’s a strong player, probably a future world champion.

Full article available here (in Spanish)

	1. Written by Èâàí Áðþõàíîâ on 15:10 15 ñåíòÿáðÿ 2009 ã.
	ñhess Âñ¸ íà Âàøåì ñàéòå Íàòàëüÿ ,- èíòåðåñíî.   òîì ÷èñëå è ýòî áîëüøîå èíòåðâüþ.  Âàì æåëàþ ÷òîáû òðóä íà ñàéòå, íå áûë  ïîìåõîé â ïîäãîòîâêè ê áîëüøèì òóðíèðàì.

	2. Written by Natalia on 08:43 20 ñåíòÿáðÿ 2009 ã.
	ñhess Ñïàñèáî çà ïîæåëàíèÿ, Èâàí! http://pogonina.com

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