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Monday, January 9, 2012

Chess interview with Henrik Danielsen- More than chess results, personal development is important for me!

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

This interview with Grandmaster Henrik Danielsen caught our eye from the Chennai International Chess Open press material. He has made a very important point: What is important to me is not just chess results. I focus more on personal development!

We would say that's the chess quote for the week! Here are some other answers from the interview.
 
Q: Please tell briefly about yourselfA: I lived in Denmark, had a normal job and played chess as a hobby. I traveled a lot, played in Germany, Sweden, Faroe Island and Iceland. Because of my good relationship in Iceland I was invited to teach chess in Iceland for an year. I loved Icelandic countryside and decided to stay back there.

Q: And then what happened
A: We were doing a great job in Iceland and traveling all over, teaching children. Then a Namibian diplomat caught up with us, and I went to Namibia to teach chess. It was a pilot project, that lasted three years. It was a great experience. I remember meeting a shy weak looking girl, but after working with her I found that she was extremely skillful. She went on to win Namibian championship. It was revelation and I was the trainer, needed to find Namibian players for the Olympiad.

Q: On your visit to India, how it come to place
A: I like to visit new places. India I find is full of life, with good and bad. Here, I find a perfect co-ordination amidst chaos.

Q: About your best results
A: I have won International Opens, the Politiken Cup in the 1990s, and recently I won the strong Icelandic blitz championship. I won an Open in Copenhagen quite recently, held in celebration for the New Year 2012. In Vizag GM tournament in 2011 I shared the first place with four other players. My results in Chennai Open 2011 and Parsvnath GM tourney at New Delhi last year were quite good.

Q: On your targets
A: For me chess and personal development are same thing. I like to follow the rhythm of the position and as a professional I need to keep myself strong mentally. I need to fight on and off the board, all the time – to keep up my life and lifestyle going on.

Q: About Chennai Open
A: In India, I found there are a lot young Indian chess players with a low rating, but playing much stronger than their ELOs. Now, I learnt to be on guard with Indian players.

Q: On the world championship match scheduled for May 2012 between Vishy Anand and Boris Gelfand.

A: I have great respect for Boris, he is extremely well chess-educated. His results have improved in the last two years. But I know Vishy Anand is a very gifted player, and I must say when it comes to a match, Vishy appears favorite. I would rather love to see Vishy Anand play Magnus Carlsen which should be a great challenge.

Q: Can name any Indian players who impressed you.
A: Parimarjan Negi is a player I had been watching for sometime. He has improved a lot and his calculations are impressive.

Q: We thank you for your time, wish you good luck in Chennai and New Delhi.
A: I am very glad to be here. It is a good experience.

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