For Karjakin favorites are Armenia, Russia, Ukraine and China: Exclusive

YEREVAN, APRIL 15, ARMENPRESS: In several days Tsakhkadzor, one of the most beautiful places of Armenia, will appear in the center of attention of the chess fans and connoisseurs of the whole world, which will host World Team Chess Championship this year. Among ten teams, one of the Armenian team’s main opponents will be the Russia’s team, which will perform without one of its leaders, Vladimir Kramnik. Several days before the launch of the Tournament the Armenpress correspondent talked to the representative of the Russian team, one of the most promising chess players of the young generation of the Russian chess Sergey Karjakin.

- Mr. Karjakin, what expectations do you have from theWorld Team Chess Championship to be held in Armenia?

- We are the current champions of the World Team Chess Championship and it would be great if we could keep the title. Though it is obvious that the competition will be serious. I think that we will face very sharp and strong competition when fighting for the prize places.

- What do you think, who are the favorites of this Tournament?

- Traditionally, in such kinds of tournaments the favorites are the Russian Federation, Armenia, Ukraine and China. Taking into account the weakness of the American team, one cannot consider them to be favorites. Though if taken separately, they are also a strong team. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interview by Varvara Hayrapetyan

Photo from Sergey Karjakin’s Facebook profile