Charming Viktoria Cmilite is the only player of the first round who managed to defeat a representative of the Chinese chess school - Lufei Ruan. Her next opponent was Alexandra Kosteniuk from Russia, who also played with her at the previous World Championship in Elista.

-Viktoria, what do you think of our city? Share your impressions on the championship’s organization, your accommodation and food… How do you like playing here?
-Unfortunately, I haven’t seen much of the city yet because I arrived just before the very beginning of the tournament. Now I spend much time on preparing for the games. But everything I’ve seen was really impressive. As for the championship, it’s too early to talk about it when the tournament is in full swing. For now the playing was quite difficult for me, yesterday I had to play tie-break. We’ll see…

-Tell us about your opponents…
-In the first round I played with a very young but talented player from Iran –Pourkashiyan. The meeting wasn’t easy for me , I have the worse position and the first game ended in a draw, but I managed to win the next one. In the next match I met Chinese player Lufei Ruan , a very young talented player as well. Both games ended in a draw. Then there were dramatic games at tie-break , we exchanged strikes in rapid chess then I managed to win blitz. My next opponent is a well-known Sasha Kosteniuk.

-Who helps you at the tournament?
-My coach from Lithuania - GM Gediminas Rastianis. And of course, my husband … by phone.

-Do you have a dream to play with some famous chess women player?
-I think no. I’ ve already met many strong players. I’d better dream about playing a perfect game.

-Viktoria, your husband Aleksey Shirov is one of the top GMs. How does he affect your playing?
-He certainly helps me in chess; I consult and discuss games with him. I think he helps me in a very great extent. By the way, he has just left for Poikovsky , which is not far from here, to play a very serious tournament.

-Are you planning to meet with him there?
-I had such an idea that if the championship finishes earlier, I could go there. But now I have no certain plans.

-Are you going to take part in the forthcoming Olympiad?
-Yes, I am. Hope to play the first board. This year we have a very strong team. It was a great success for us to take the13th place at the previous Olympiad. But there is a hope to play better this year. After the championship I play for the team “FINEK” from Saint-Petersburg at the Russian Team Championship in Dagomys.

-Now everybody is talking about a 12-year old Chinese player Hou Yifan. What do you think of her?
-Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to watch other participants playing. This Chinese girl is probably a very talented girl, but in these latter days a 12-year old GM is not a wonder. Many young players are very strong at chess.

-How is chess supported in your country?
-Chess is not so popular in Lithuania. For example, in Russia there are much more opportunities, more tournaments.

-As is known, basketball is the most popular sports in Lithuania. Have you ever tried it?
-I am not the tallest girl in Lithuania (laughing). I was offered to play volleyball. But I have always enjoyed chess more.

-What do you go in for apart for chess?
-I have two little children, you know, 2 boys. And I spend all my free time with them.

-The championship has brought a lot of surprises. What impressed you most of all?
-Yes, there were a lot of surprises. Anything can happen in knock-out tournaments. The results of the second round, when three best players of the list were eliminated, are quite illustrative.

-You met Alexandra Kosteniuk at the World Championship two years ago. Are there any changes in her playing style?
-It’s not easy to answer this question. She didn’t spend these 2 years in vain. I think that all players are improving, some more and some less. And our rating list is the best proof of it. Sasha has made a qualitative advancement. I watched her playing at “Aeroflot open” where she performed quite well.

-In the championships of what countries do you take part?
-On family circumstances I don’t often play in Leagues. This year I had a couple of games in bundesleague. The Russian League is the strongest in the world, the best GMs are represented here, and that’s why I enjoy playing here. Not long ago I got an offer to play in the Chinese League. I’ll think of it.