Preparedness for a game that usually lasts four-five hours requires good physical condition and also steady nerves.

For every door the computers have closed they have opened a new one.

I would never suggest to anyone that they drop school for chess. First of all even if you can make it in chess, your social skills need to be developed there.

When I started out playing chess as a kid I thought I should be world champion. As a kid you have no idea what that means and you only sort of picture it. It is hard to imagine that I waited all those years and it happened in a late stage of my career.

I love travelling and going on wildlife safaris. I have an interest in astronomy. I like reading on current affairs, business and science. I love doing nothing if I can help it.

Preparedness for a game that usually lasts four-five hours requires good physical condition and also steady nerves.

Chess is like a language, the top players are very fluent at it. Talent can be developed scientifically but you have to find first what you are good at.