You know, if I'm in a bad mood, I always look at the chessboard, just to find something that can cheer me up.

As for the eastern part of the former Soviet Union, the picture is rather uniform. Authoritarian structures prevail to differing extents. But we can still determine certain regularities, and the role of Russia is not to be underestimated. It is clear that we would have the same situation in Tajikistan and, let's say, Uzbekistan without the direct influence of Russia.

I want to serve chess through games, books that are works of art. I would like to bring the game closer to many people all over the world.

If you wish to succeed, you must brave the risk of failure.

Unfortunately, in Russia this "Asian mentality,"still comes to the fore. But at the same time, it is obvious that there is a certain orientation toward the West. In the end, this is a fragile balancing act between the Asian manner of governance and high living standards that are guaranteed through Western technology.

Without a goal [maneuvering is] aimless. You might be a master tactician, but you'll have no sense of strategy.

Weaknesses of character are normally shown in a game of chess.