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YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS: Armenian grand master Levon Aronyan presented to Armenpress his future programs.
- Levon, once again we are congratulating you on becoming the winner of the Grand Prix international tournament. Will you say where the tournament of the claimants of the title of world chess champion will be held?
- One of them will be held in London, the place of conduction of the other one has not been decided yet. In any case, I will take partake in one of these two.
- During the recent years the chess figures Vishvanatan Anand and Vesselin Topalov are in the front. Is Levon Aronyan going to join them in fighting for the title of champion?
- Of course. Currently, there are about 20 equal chess players in the world with a talent given from birth, but some of them, including me, need time and experience. I must work hard: in this respect both Anand and Topalov have privileges in respect of age. I believe that I am able to compete with them, it is just a matter of time.
- Have you started getting prepared in Yerevan for further competitions?
- Yes. In Armenia all the conditions for chess players are ensured. We do not need anything, we feel excitement seeing how our people are taking care of their chess players. I must note that I have not participated in many tournaments this year, because many of the proposals were not of my level. In future as well I will not participate in many tournaments, I will choose only the important ones.
- The RA chess players are double Olympic champions, can we expect the third incessant victory?
- I hope and I believe yes. For reaching this aim at least four out of five chess players must play good. But we have a good team, we are good friends, the team has high team spirit. Chess team is not a football team: here other standards are operating and our team corresponds to them.
- Is it possible that any surprise in the chess world be registered during the Olympiad?
- I think no. We know each other quite well.
- Levon, what assessment may be given to Armenia’s young chess players?
- In Armenia the chess traditions are being maintained, there is always new growth, a new shift is coming, I think that we must have good prospect.
- Soon the elections of FIDE chairman will take place. What will you say about it?
- The person of the FIDE chairman is very important for chess players, as we do not have professional unions. At the same time we may say that changes are necessary, in the team of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov there are many people who have nothing common with chess. On the other hand it is not so clear, what the claimant of this post Anatoli Karpov wants and it will be difficult to win him. Everything is complicated and not unanimous.
- While staying in Armenia you are always participating in different events.
- I am very glad that in Armenia people love chess very much, and I do my best to help the sport lovers, of course first of all with triumphant performances. Armenian chess is worthy new victories.