 This Championship as expected brought new discoveries and surprises. Young Chinese chess player Hou Yifan who managed to defeat experienced Natalia Zhukova turned out such a discovery. A convincing success of GM Xu Yhua , one of real challengers for win, delighted her compatriots as well. That’s why we couldn’t but communicate with the person who supports the development of chess in China. A famous Chinese coach, GM Ye is the guest of our press-centre.
- Please tell us about yourself, when did you take up chess and what are your best achievements?
YE: I was not that young when took up chess. I first started it at 18. But I was constantly improving and began to take part in serious tournaments. I should say that European chess compared to Chinese chess and a famous Chinese game Go wasn’t that popular at that time. But the situation was changing and we achieved great progress…. The first most famous Grand Master of our country was GM Ye Rongguang, who has already left sports and moved to Holland.
- What are your best achievements?
Ye: It was two years ago when I had my best 2683 rating. At that time I was on the top twenty list. I was a two-time participant of the World Cup, and twice managed to reach quarterfinals. I performed my last most remarkable result at the World Championship 2001 in Moscow when I reached 1/16 finals. Since 1982 to 2002 I was a constant member of Chinese National Team. I took part in all Olympiads of this period.
- Your results are quite significant. You have been the top Chinese rating favorite for a long time. What’s happened later?
Ye: I have always believed that every person should develop and change himself, his life. When chess in our country was on the top of its development they decided to organize this process in a proper way – to form a system of children’s education, make chess more available and interesting. I should say that a 46 years old chess player has other aims: not to achieve your own goals but help other to succeed. Two years ago I was appointed the General Secretary of Chinese Chess Association and I haven’t participated in tournaments since. So it’s not surprising that my current rating is 40 points lower.
-How many promising chess players are there in China now?
Ye: Approximately 100 players performing good results. Besides the amount of chess amateurs is constantly growing. I am sure there are about 6 millions of Chinese who are aware of chess rules. And about 100 000 people take part in different chess tournaments.
-And how many women are there among them?
Ye: About 30-40. I mean serious chess players.
- What is the system of chess clubs in China?
Ye: It differs from that of European one. All the clubs are divided according to the geographical position: all the parts of the country have their own clubs. There are about 20 of them.
- Please tell us about the way of the chess player from being the amateur to the member of the National team.
Ye: Our association annually holds many tournaments for children in the regions. These contests find out the best most talented children. We send them to our National Chess Centre in Beijing. They live and study there and the younger ones can live there with their parents. So we provide all the necessary conditions for our talents to develop and become professionals.
- Who are the residents of this centre at the moment?
Ye: About twenty people including Hou Yifan who performed at this Championship. Yifan is lucky to live with her mother. It will never do to separate children and parents hope for good results. That’s why we provide them with all the necessary conditions.
- When was the Chinese National League founded?
Ye: Our National League was founded last year. It was the time when we formulated the universal strategy for all Chinese clubs. We also establish regional centres similar to that of Beijing’s and seek for talented young chess players.
- And what about Yifan Hou? Is her success a result of hard work or talent?
Ye: I think it’s a combination of labour and talent. Of course she is very gifted but she is always training and improving. I should say that she is very hard-working. And strong coaches of our press-centre help her.
-And how many coaches do you have in this centre?
Ye: Usually about 6-7 of them.
- You are the Chief Coach of Chinese National Team. What famous players are your students?
Ye: Since 1989 I’ve been training a four-time Women’s World Champion Xie Jun. Later I helped Xu Yuhua whose playing attracts the attention of people all over the country. Zhao Xue and a young star Hou Yifan are my pupils as well. That’s why I have no regrets about finishing the GM’ s career, my achievements as a trainer are more important than my individual ones.
- What are your main principles in education?
Ye: First of all industry and restraint. These are my main principles in teaching children. The main thing is to be devoted to work to achieve something. And the coach should possess such qualities in a greater extent - for all his pupils. And of course I always treat them as my own children. Sometimes my wife even takes offence for I spend more time with my pupils rather than with my own son. But it’s excusable because I find sense of my life in this.
- Does your 16-year old son go in for chess?
Ye: No, he doesn’t. One member of the family absolutely devoted to chess is enough. But who knows , he is just 18 yet….
|
27.03.2006