When there's an important tournament going on, I try and stay in a bubble. It's easy that way because then you don't have to worry about anything else.

My practice schedule is not constant and changes a lot and depends on my moods also.

If you have a strong opponent, a competition is stimulating. I am generally most open to ideas when I have had a bad result. In chess, too, players specialise. This specialty then becomes an entry barrier.

I would prefer chess to become part of the Olympic Games. This would also lead to chess become more accepted as a sport in general.

Psychology plays a big part but I always say psychology will only be a differentiator when the players are of equal technical strength.

You need to motivate yourself, no matter what-definitely when things are bad, but also when things are good. Or else, you risk becoming complacent.

My job is to play chess, the game that I love. I achieve what I can in chess. That is what I focus on. Basically, I am always focused on playing the game, and this is important to me.