 Xu Yuhua, the representative of China is the only two time winner of the Women World Chess Cup, and as you know she brilliantly performed at the “North Urals Cup” last year.
- What is your impression of Yekaterinburg? What can you say about the Championship’s organization and your accommodation?
- I really like your city. We were very well received at the airport; as for the hotel, food, playing hall, organization – everything is the best. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to walk about the city, but I’ve already visited the church nearby.
- How do you find your performance in 2 previous rounds?
- In the first round I had a quite strong opponent - Vietnamese player Hoang but I
think I am a higher class player – it was quite an easy win. In the second round I met with a very stronger Ukrainian player Ushenina. I invented a novelty and speaking in general I performed well.
- Who helps you at the tournament?
- Our National team’s coach Grand Master Ye.
- Your National team is very strong. What can you say about it?
- I think that Russian National team is much stronger than Chinese one. We have much to learn from Russian.
- However, it was your team that won the last Olympiad…
- It`s true, but it was two years ago…
-How did you like Krasnoturyinsk? And are you going to take part in the “North Urals Cup”?
- Last year I took part in this tournament and I really liked its organization. I was even provided with 2 interpreters. I won’t be able to participate this year but I really hope to be invited to the next one. I would gladly come again.
- Do you consider yourself professional player or you have another occupation?
- I’ve graduated from Peking University as a bachelor of law. And now I am going to get Master’s degree. But I still consider myself chess professional because I devote most of my time to it.
- How do you manage to stay calm during the game, especially at such a tournament as the World Championship?
- Well, it is very difficult to describe, I just concentrate on the game thinking about nothing else. The more you concentrate the less nervous you are.
- Are you going to take part in the World Chess Olympiad in Torino?
- I hope so. But the Chinese Chess Association hasn’t confirmed the team list yet and I think they will do it after the Championship.
- As we know, the Chinese Chess League was established last year. Could you please tell us about it in details?
- Such Chess Leagues exist in many countries. I think that the first experience was a successful one. The League provides opportunities for young players to get the experience. We invite many foreign players to our teams. It seems to me that our League gives more chances to our young players to learn more about different chess styles.
- They say that your teammates from National team help women…
- I answered the same question at the “North Urals Cup” last year. The case is that the strongest player of our National team helps the rest. Russian female players are also very strong and discovered their secret of men GM`s help. Our colleagues from men team consult women players in need. That’s why our delegation is so big. We have many coaches giving help to anyone who needs it.
- In Russia there are many individual and team tournaments for children, for instance, “White Rook”. Are there any similar contests in China?
- Chess is getting more and more popular in China and more children go in for chess. In China as in Russia we have many individual and team contests for children, which determine the participants of World Youth Championships.
- Could you please tell us more about yourself, your family, residence?
-I am the only child in the family, born in the city of Hanzhou, Zhejiang region (the name of my team is the same). I live with my husband in Peking and my parents live on the South –East of China.
- Have you got children?
- Not yet.
- And if you have are you going to teach them playing chess?
- The case is that my husband is a very famous Chinese Go player. This game is very popular in my country and everything will depend on my child’s interests.
- When did you start playing chess?
- My father who was my first coach taught me to play chess. But he couldn’t even imagine that I would achieve such success, taking part in the World Championships.
- They say that Chinese chess is very popular in your country. Can you play it?
- Chinese chess (also called Asian) are as popular in China as the European ones in Russia. Some rules are the same and I could play it.
- Do you have idols in chess? Which participants’ games arouse your interest?
- I really like Anand’s playing, and a Georgian legend Maya Chiburdanidze is my female idol.
- How does the preparation for the Summer Olympic Games 2008 affects the citizens of Peking?
- The Olympic Games 2008 will really take place in Peking. And we have much to do preparing for it – to repair and build new constructions. But it’s a great honor for our capital to be the host city. By the way, I hope that chess will also become a part of Olympic Games soon.
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27.03.2006