Author: Interview by Sergey Mkrtchyan, Yerevan, exclusive to VK
The Armenian national team, having won the World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, is quite young, so 41-year-old Vladimir Akopian is considered to be veteran. He's already a famous Grandmaster, FIDE world championship finalist in the knock-out tournament of 1999, the winner of many international competitions. The most outstanding success has been achieved by Akopian in team competitions. In his collection there are three high Olympic titles (Turin 2006, Dresden 2008, Istanbul 2012) and winning the World Cup in 2011 in China.
- Vladimir, are any of three Olympic gold medals the most remarkable for you?
- All three wins are precious for me: the first - because of its novelty, the second seemed difficult because my rivals prepared for the game quite differently. As for the third, it was reached in a tense race at the finish line.
Russians have not been so close to Olympic gold for a long time. Very well, based on the line-up of the team, rather than individuals, the line-up was found due to the new coach Yuri Dokhoyan. They played very well, except for the match against the United States, in which the defeat was fatal. Their failure in the match with the Americans surprised me. At the finish, we explicitly gained the lead, and the Russians surrendered. The Russian media is now often referring to bad luck. I think that it is not necessary to complain about it, considering that in the penultimate round our competitors got a real gift - the Argentinian team. At this time we were fighting against the strong Dutch team. Everything is fair.
- It was felt that the Russian team was tired at the finish line. And due to what did the Armenian team look so fresh in the final segment?
- In the training process, we pay a lot of attention to physical training. So, at the last gathering in Tsakhkadzor, the first half of the day was devoted to sport, the second - to chess. A few hours a day were given to sports: football, basketball, swimming, jogging, table tennis. Everyone chooses what he likes. In addition, it is no secret that our team from last year's World Cup in China is working with physiotherapist Armen Aguzumtsyan. He is a very good specialist, and the team is happy to use his services.
- Are you really thinking of stopping playing for the national team at the Olympics?
- It is always nice to go away undefeated. The Olympics is a very tough tournament, consuming a lot of energy, which is very difficult to win, let alone three times out of four. I think it is safe to trust the young. There are talented guys who are ready to adequately represent the country. For my part, I am ready to help the team. In any case, I have not yet made a final decision. Time will tell. Another thing is the World Cup bringing together the strongest composition. I will be pleased to play there. As for the European Championship, it is considered a fairly straight-forward event for which it is very difficult to set up for the world and Olympic championships - there is not enough motivation. It can and should became a means of training for the immediate reserve.
- There is much talk about the team spirit in the national team of Armenia, a lack of which prevents other teams succeeding. What does it look like?
- The atmosphere in the team is really very good. Of course, all the players cannot be together in a relationship, but we always support each other. In case of defeat there are no mutual accusations and claims. We forget everything and begin to prepare for the next game. We do not hide chess secrets from each other. For example, Levon Aronian is always willing to share his knowledge, although he can put aside some things for super-tournaments. Everything is done for the result. An important role in creating a friendly atmosphere belongs to our coach and captain Arshak Petrosian, who is in good terms with all the guys and is able to find an individual approach to everyone.
- What is chess for you: art, science or sport?
- Chess is likely to include all three elements. Science plays a major role in the ancient game, given the current role of computers. Plenty of possibilities for creativity and aesthetics, of course, bring an element of art. And, of course, on the 64-cell board a serious struggle and competition is almost always deployed, when the result is the main goal, and this is the main feature of the sports component.
- Will computers soon destroy the classic game of chess?
- There is such a danger, and now people often talk about it. It is hard to say exactly when this will happen. The process of absorption of chess by the machine is not as fast as it might seem. Today, there are fully-calculated positions with only six pieces, and positions with seven pieces are gradually generated. Then there is the human factor. Much will depend on the technical advances in this field.
- Do you use a computer in preparing?
- I have to do this. I'm not a fan of this particular case, but this is the reality of modern chess. In general, I use the machine so as not to run into a nasty surprise. I never set a goal of winning a game at home. Those who abuse the computer gradually lose their skills, the play element. If the opponent suddenly leaves the beaten track, the chess player is lost and does not know what to do.
- What is the style of chess grandmaster Akopian?
- I am the player of a style which is quite versatile. There is a desire for a dynamic game, but there is no obvious bias towards a combination of positional chess. In any case, in modern chess you should know how to do everything.
- Can you say that you are “gorged” with chess?
- I cannot say that I am strongly tied to chess and will, like Korchnoi, play up to 80 years. I can leave it at any time and do something else. When I feel that chess is not a pleasure, I immediately stop playing. What will I do next? I can coach - I already have very good students. Maybe I'll do something outside of chess.
- In the 1990s, a chess player could not easily earn his living. Did reaching the final of the FIDE World Cup knock-out in 1999, which provided the major prize, help you? Has the situation changed for the better today?
- If we talk about Armenia, yes. The National Federation is headed by President Serzh Sargsyan, who does a lot for the development of chess. For example, members of the team and the GMs receive special scholarships. Our team successes are highly recognized in material terms. As regards the situation in the world, you must be at least in the top twenty in order to live without being distracted from chess.
- Did you have thoughts about emigration in hard periods?
- I had no serious thoughts about it. Frankly, there were no special offers. My parents live in Yerevan, I would never have left them. And moving with the whole family is problematic. In 2004, I went on contract to work in Qatar, but in early 2007 I returned to Yerevan.
- Athletes, including chess-players, are divided into the talented and hard-working. To which category do you belong?
- I’ll say without false modesty: to the first one. I have no special diligence, like many of the Armenian chess players. Recall, for example, Rafael Vaganian. Levon Aronian, for example, only recently began to work hard.
- Was the communication with the patriarch of Soviet chess, Mikhail Botvinnik, useful for you? After all, he once said, "Akopian will achieve high results, if he works."
- I have always had cordial relations with Mikhail Moiseevich. He could behave harshly with a man whom he did not like. I know his other side. Botvinnik was treated differently, but, no doubt, he was the unquestioned authority.
- Tell us about your family.
- I've been married 15 years. My wife's name is Christina. We have three sons. Valery is 14 years old, Edward - 8, Sergei - 5. My elder sons spend much time on the Internet, watching online for my games, play in blitz tournaments on the Internet. Sergey has also been taught to move pieces. Edward has an absolute ear for music, he plays the piano. At the same time he loves playing chess; he has easily fulfilled the norm of the second category, and he has been very close to the first. He has the ability, and his dad does not help him at all. First, there is not enough time, and second, I would not want the children to go in my footsteps. Chess is too complicated a profession.
- What do you do in your free time?
- I love to play guitar. Mom worked in Baku as a music theorist at the music school where I went to guitar classes, though not for very long. I always liked the original songs. I really appreciate the songs by Vysotsky. At home I have three guitars of good quality. I also love to meet with my friends. I try to give time to my family.
- You moved to Armenia in 1986. What was the reason?
- I left Baku for the World Youth Championships in Argentina and returned to Yerevan. My father was offered a job at the Polytechnic Institute, and he agreed. And another important point - in Yerevan there was wonderful coach, Oleg Dementyev. In 1985, at the Games of the USSR in Volgograd, representatives of the Armenian Chess Federation offered us to move. Several times we visited Yerevan, I started training with Oleg Ivanovich. Father settled all issues at work, and we finally moved to Armenia.
- Did he teach you to play chess?
- Yes, when I was 5 years old, and soon I was taken to chess school. Father always loved chess, watching all the competitions. He plays in the first category.
- Who are the three best players of all time?
- Fischer, Alekhine, Kasparov. The first two were far ahead of their time. As for Kasparov, I think that if he had not left chess, he would be able to still have many years to play at a high level.
- What do you think about new initiatives of FIDE: Fischer chess, fast chess, blitz? Is their goal to save the ancient game?
- Of course, it is very interesting to watch this, especially the blitz. When I was young, I myself played it a lot. I can play Fischer chess and fast chess. In the fast chess the quality of play is low, whole games are rare. Although, I would emphasize, blitz is much more fun to watch. Fischer chess games are interesting because of their infinity and can replace classic chess. But it is too early to talk about this. I think that the classic game will be alive.
