Interview with international grandmaster Sergey Kayumov

Today international grandmaster in chess Sergey Kayumov, who gladly shared with the readers of the web-team Phoenix-64 secrets of success in professional chess and his coaching experience, and also told about her attitude to the upcoming reforms in the world of chess!

1. Tell us where had started your chess career? Who is your first coach?

Started to play chess at the age of 7. I am from a family of chess players: the father, Kayumov Dmitry, international grandmaster, mother – Kayumova Irina, master of FIDE international arbiter. First coaches, paradoxically, were my parents:), and generally were later my coaches. Also, in parallel, I’m up to 12-13 years went a chess club from time to time.

2. Do you think that chess is your purpose or is there some other area where you would like to try?

I never considered myself a professional player. Unfortunately, I have little time playing chess was, for some reason I didn’t treat it seriously. Now I understand, that could in time to train seriously and obviously would have been higher altitudes. Like all of the data and the possibilities were for this. Besides, having such professional trainers-the parents have not used this opportunity in full measure. Although the children of professionals harder than others. It is well known.

Potential I was and is. Sorry for complacency, but I say, how I feel. Many well-known players like to feign poverty and say that they almost do not chess. In fact, they “as a plow horse” and deservedly seek recognition among the elite. But in my case it was (in the sense was doing very little).

I noticed when worked hard chess couple of months, once successfully acted in the international arena. Lazy bastard, I. Of course, I didn’t focus on chess and already had time to work and gain experience in sales… was a sales Manager in a large company. And, of course, would like to try myself in something. Don’t even know yet what. Thanks to chess I have seen a lot of countries, I met many interesting people, have a better understanding of the psychology and to understand people.

3. Many chess players remain masters or candidates in master of sports… Not a secret that the attainment of the GM norm is given only the most persistent and talented chess players. How did you manage to conquer the top of the GM title? What is the secret of your success?

No secret really not. Just from time to time I did a bit more serious than usual, and, accordingly, the results have not kept itself waiting. To obtain the rank of Grandmaster I already had 5 GM norms.

4. Share your emotions about the brightest victory (in your opinion) in the tournament. What role she played in your life?

Victories were not enough. But memorable is sharing 1-3 places in the “First Memorial of the first GM Uzbekistan George referring” in 2007. Was strongest open tournament of grandmasters and masters of Central Asia and Russia.

Also remember successful performance in the strongest open tournament in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in 2005, which was attended by 30 grandmasters, including 12 grandmasters rated 2600+, among whom were many famous names. It is enough to mention Shahriyar Mamedyarov. In the end, I was shared 2-3 places with GM Dmitry Bocharov. At that time I was still international master and exceeded the norm grandmaster point. Such victories (sometimes 2-3 place nicer than the first) not only bring joy, but you know that can play well, when I want… But for this competition it is necessary to work on chess like crazy…

5. I know that you are not only a professional chess player, but also an experienced trainer and trainer’s experience is 10 years (!), despite your young age… But what you prefer and how do you manage to combine these two major directions?

To be honest, I wasn’t planning to become a trainer or something in that spirit. For interest gradually coached, after retract slightly, combining with the performance in the competition. Was and am able to combine, I think so… I mean my game level fell, having been engaged in parallel coaching.

It is known that there is a perception that the level of the player falls, if he is involved in coaching. It seems to me, not all of them equal with the same brush, because every person is individual. And besides, if a bit to do very little in support of the form, no problems should occur. I admit, special pleasure classes from beginner does not work. I am interested to engage with people, playing at the CCM level and above. Sometimes, a lot discover too. First coached children, then went and older.

Later in 2004 coached the national Team of Faroe Islands (for those who have not heard of this island, part of Denmark, which are located not far from Iceland and in the national team of the lowest ranking of the player was 2200). Was also coach of the National men’s team Faroe Islands in 2004 at the world chess Olympiad in Spain, the island of Palma de Mallorca. In principle, decently strengthened guys.

Also coached the national team of Bahrain in 2005 and was the coach of them on the team championship of the Arabian Gulf, where we took the 3rd place, creating a sensation (sorry for vastaste) defeated the national team of the United Arab Emirates with 2.5 1.5, played 1-grandmaster, 1 – international master and 2 – FIDE master. While in command of Bahrain was the only one player with a rating of approximately 2150 the other with a rating of 1800-2000. We managed to guess the debut on all 4 boards. Helped monthly fee with the national team of Sudan (what year do not remember).

6. What level your team and which of them you can truly be proud of at the moment?

Wards, it turns out, quite a lot actually… I would Not want to single anyone out, all proud as involved and engaged with different levels from beginners to professionals. For example, my student, Siska Helgi from the Faroe Islands became an international master in 16 years and has 2 grandmaster norm. Talented guy who literally 3 years rose from 2100 to 2400+. Also one pupil 12 years made a draw with female grandmaster little more than a year of our cooperation. Do not believe me, but its level was slightly higher novice, when I started training him.

Another student with a rating of 1800+ after about 9 months of training beat recently, international master and made 2 draws with players with rating 2200+ in the international tournament “rapid”. Among my disciples, Champions of Uzbekistan to 10 and 14 years, Champions among men Bahrain, the Faroe Islands, the silver medalist of the championship of the United Arab Emirates among women.

7. What do you think is the main coaching work? Perhaps there are special rules and methods of teaching that you use… or is it enough just to be a strong chess player?

I think the main coaching work to be able to easily find the contact with the students to understand at a good level chess, well, just to be a good person and never yell or strongly criticizing students. Need to scold, but in moderation and good. This is my opinion.

There are many teaching methods, useful books. Try to take everywhere. In my opinion, the best, plus the greatest experience took over from his parents, because they have traveled more than 30 years of coaching. And, of course, have their own family techniques that by applying improved seats, adding something new. In General, always try to learn and grow. But as it turns out, the results of the disciples should speak for themselves.

I think is not necessary to be a GM to be a good coach, many examples of CCM and masters prepare strong players. But do not agree with the silly suggestion that GM may not be a good coach and a seemingly can’t cook beginners. These stories tell players usually low qualifications. In fact, GM can easily deal with any level. Just “grandmasters” I don’t like to train beginners. And rightly so: “grandmasters” must address with advanced players, not to teach, how the pieces move. But those GMS who never coached by anyone, but only themselves played struggle to find himself after a career as a coach.

8. In our time, not every GM boasts part in the world chess Olympiad as a player for the national team of the country. You are a member of the combined team of Uzbekistan and defended the honor of the country in 2006. What did you feel, participating in such competitions? Tell us about your impressions…

To play for my country at the Olympics is first of all a great honor and pride!

Impressions are unforgettable! I defended the honor of Uzbekistan at the Olympics in 2006 in Italy. The team’s success largely depends on the spirit and cohesion of the team, as well as the team leader. The leader was and is the ex-World champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov, who was charged in the us with confidence during the Olympics. We have all been friendly and funny and it really helped. Essential experience!

Owing to the above we spent the whole Olympics in leaders, 3-4 rounds played on the second and third tables! It’s a shame, lost to Champions of Olympic games – Armenia 2,5-1,5. Account had to be the same, but in our favor. I had a terrible, mutual time trouble unnecessary figure against grandmaster Gabriel Sargissian (which on the eve beat Morozevich and then took the gold in the 4 Board is not lost no game). Our party ended in a draw. And even some of our guys passed win.

We played a draw with many strong teams such as Ukraine, Germany, Holland. Further hurt lost Georgia (I with an extra pawn of time put the figure) and the third defeat against Cuba at the finish. Due to the victory in the last round the team of Azerbaijan we have divided 11 mestopore, I was very uncomfortable in front of the guys for my only loss with an extra pawn player Georgia. It’s a horrible feeling! You can feel the difference: playing for a team or individual performance.

And Rustam Kasimdzhanov – well done, well held the first Board, beat the leader of the national team of Ukraine and the Netherlands – Ivanchuk and Sokolov, respectively, made a draw with Aronian, only yawned Cuban Lazaro Bruzon. Also played well experienced team player grandmaster Saidali Yuldashev – the soul of any company, the unofficial World champion anecdotes and bikes, a person with a great sense of humor, and young and talented grandmaster Timur Gareev, who brought several important victories. The only minus is weak food and accommodation.

9. How do you feel about the upcoming chess reforms connected with a change in control of the time in qualifying official tournaments (the transition to rapid), as well as to the introduction of counting the international rating in rapid chess and blitz? How, in your opinion, the decision of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and relevant at the moment?

Positive! In chess there is a chance of becoming a more popular sport, and it will cause interest, even those who do not know how to play! Attracting more sponsors obviously… due to this will be more tournaments and television can broadcast tournaments like the show, as the competition will take only 2-3 days. All this will give a more dynamic and will lead professional chess in motion. And in General, I believe that these changes had to be introduced long time ago…

10. Tell me what you dream?

(Surprisingly). Didn’t even think…

Perhaps a Bank account with at least six zeros:), but generally I would like to have a big house with a garden and… the opportunity to do some housework, doing something with your own hands! Sure to make a gazebo and I will invite their relatives and friends. I am an optimist and love the company, where always jokes and humor come first. I like to see everyone and always in a good mood.

The facts of life grandmaster Sergey Kayumov:

Sergey Kayumov born August 8, 1981 in the city of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. At the age of seven he started to play chess. Has a higher education in the specialty translator-linguist, graduated from Tashkent State University.

In 2010, Sergey was awarded the title of international grandmaster of chess. More than 10 years engaged in trainer’s activity. The member of national team of Uzbekistan in chess, and winner of several international tournaments.

Motto: “All that is done, all the better!”.

Author Ava Suleimanova

project partner Fenix-64