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Translation by Nikolai Borodavkin and Mikhail Golubev. The Russian version of this interview has been published on the Chess Ukraine website (new URL: www.chesspage.kiev.ua).
The chess world will see epic events. In September there will be a Match of the Century - Russian Team versus the Rest of the World. In October we shall witness two Man vs Computer contests: in Jerusalem Garry Kasparov will test Deep Junior while in Bahrain Vladimir Kramnik will put Fritz to trial. Still in a month we'll have the World Olympiad and FIDE Congress where a new President is to be elected.
The main heroes of future battles are busy giving interviews while the FIDE world champion Ruslan Ponomariov keeps silence. However both chess amateurs and elite GMs are keen to know just the opinion of the King... The author has managed to «capture» a citizen of Kramatorsk in Kiev on his way from the Crimea to Germany.
Ruslan, where have you been missing and where do you travel now?
I was at a training session in Sevastopol to prepare myself for a rapid chess match against the Indian Vishy Anand. We start the match just this Thursday in the German town of Mainz. There will be a big festival, about a thousand of participants are expected... Still, our duel should be the main event.
Till now, you have played several serious matches only while the Indian has been fighting for more than a decade at top level. Besides, he is considered to be one of the world best «quick chess» players...
So what? Before the final match with Vassily Ivanchuk I had had almost no practical experience in struggling for the crown. Nevertheless, I won it! Still I agree that Anand is the most dangerous adversary, particularly in the short control games. As to classic encounters - we met twice and both games ended in a draw.
Have you prepared any surprises for Vishy during the training assembly? By the way, who assisted you in Sevastopol?
You should not ask it! Nowadays all information is traced down.
Another revolution is being hatched up in chess now - the absolute world championship. But you, the FIDE World Champion, did not participate in the development of this project.
The decision on the championship was taken in Prague during the supertournament where I did not participate. However, an assistant of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has called me and told what is what, so I'm in the know. Surprisingly that we don't have either official regulations or the contract until now...
Then it suits you to play with Garry Kasparov in the semi-final?
The champion must defend his title and I'll be doing it! How to defend and against whom - these are details. Surely, in this particular case there could have been some other options. For instance, the match between me and Kramnik who are two champions by various versions. But FIDE gave up to Kasparov so as to switch him back into their system. That was a strong move on the part of the Federation. Still I feel sorry for my colleagues whom FIDE voluntarily screened out from the struggle for the crown. I mean the same Ivanchuk and Anand.
Moscow colleagues told me a rumour that you had agreed to play with Kasparov. But a warm-up match, not for the chess crown...
They are skillful storytellers in Moscow. If an official offer comes in - I'll play.
Have you commenced preparing for the match?
Until now I was preparing myself for Anand. As to Kasparov - I am only taking his measure. Generally, I would like to get an aid of an experienced chess player, as it happened with the Bulgarian Veselin Topalov on the eve of my duel with Ivanchuk.
That is to say, you don't exclude Topalov being your second again?
It might be true. Talking about that, recently I dreamed something on the topic. The scenery was that me and Veselin were preparing for a match with Kasparov. Then, abruptly, Gary Kimovich refused to play. Afterwards, FIDE decided to replace him with Topalov. I crack my head until now trying to guess what this dream may mean.
What's your attitude to a forthcoming match between Kasparov and a computer?
I see why you ask... My attitude is mixed! Certainly, this event is most interesting. Still, about a year ago Ilyumzhinov announced a contest between a computer and the FIDE world champion. Indeed, Boris Alterman, called me from Israeli Junior team. The match managers offered me USD 30,000 for my participation and USD 50,000 for the victory. I declined the offer as usually such matches provide for more substantial terms. Later, the information leaked out that Kasparov is going to play. Note, please, that this time the prize fund is quite different - a million! Including USD 500,000 for the participation!
Has the cancellation of your match with the computer influenced your plans?
No, my plans do not change. I'll play in Moscow for the Rest of the World team against the Russian team. Afterwards there will be tournaments in Wijk-an-Zee and Linares.
Are you going to play for the All-Ukrainian team at the Olympiad?
Can't say it now. But the Federation has commenced negotiations with me on that.
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