Unfortunately, this Championship wasn’t successful for Katya and she was eliminated after the first round. But Ekaterina is one of the most promising Russian talents, and we have a nice opportunity to communicate with her.

-First of all, tell us about yourself: where did you start playing and training chess? Please describe key points of your career?
-I was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. I started playing chess at 9 with a very good coach Pynchuk Sergey Timofeevich, who helped me to become WGM, but then I departed. I moved to Russia, first to Orel then to Saint-Petersburg, where I entered the University of Economy and Finance. Now I am a four –year student and I also play chess. We have a very strong team, once we won the National Championship, took the first prize at the European Club Championship.

-What individual achievements do you have?
-I won the World Girls U-20 Championship 2004, that’s why I am here. And I think there are no other significant achievements.

-Are you in Yekaterinburg for the first time? How do you like it?
-I like everything: accommodation, food in the hotel, the atmosphere here. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen much of the city but for the hotel and playing hall, but now I’ll have time for it…

-Would you please comment on your game with Ushenina. What was wrong?
-The main reason for my defeat is that I haven’t found my playing. I knew that she is much better at rapid chess than me. And I wasn’t able to achieve an advantage in the normal game. I didn’t commit serious fouls but just allow her to get advantageous positions.

-You seemed not very disappointed when defeated and lost opportunity to keep the championship?
-It’s strange but it’s true. I wasn’t disappointed because I lost to the strong opponent. I am not weaker than Ann, I think we are equal; but one of us was to lose because it’s sports. There was nothing offending in the party. I’ve just got an offer to play in the Chinese League. It’s quite an interesting and I am very glad. I’ve never been to Peking; it would be nice to get acquainted with the city, the culture of this country. Life goes on; it is not the last World Championship.

-Who is your coach now?
-Now I train with Marat Makarov. He is the coach of our “FINEK” women team. He trains and helps us and his wife Julia Demina plays for our team.

-How did you prepare for games? -It was very difficult to prepare because Ushenina makes such openings as for instance Karo-Kann with black and it’s quite difficult to break through them. But Marat helped me.

-Did you have time to watch other participants’ games? Whom will you support?
-Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to watch any games. Of course, I will support Russian players.

-Do you have any friend players here?
-Yes, but unfortunately all of them have already lost and they are leaving. Lilit Mkrtchian, Ira Slavina, Evgenja Ovod and Irina Vasilevich didn’t manage to demonstrate good playing. We are on good term with Anya Ushenina , but it’s very difficult to communicate before the forthcoming game. In fact, I have good relations with all the players, I don’t have enemies.

-Do you think you are chess professional?
-Yes, I do. I devote most of my time to chess and hope to achieve progress. They understand my situation at the University and I have a free timetable.

-What do you think of knock-out tournaments?
-I play knock-out for the first time. Of course this principle is quite cruel – you just lose once and leave. After 2 or 3 defeats in round – robin you can still win back, prove something or just revenge; but knock-out is the best for World Championships. One tournament-one champion. Men have also found a united system.

-Do you think Kramnik is the World Champion?
-No, I don’t. I think Topalov is the Champion. I don’t mean the title. He won all the previous tournaments, and Kramnik didn’t perform well. He drew and lost many times and Topalov can win even in the draw position. He performs as a real Champion.

-Do you want to meet some famous chess player?
-In fact, victory is not the main goal. I’ve already sad that I don’t have enemies in life as well as in chess.

-Have you ever wanted to revenge for defeat?
-No, I revenge only to myself - to justify or just prove something to myself.