EV: Congrats on your very impressive record, Alex! Which are you more proud of, the perfect score or the 2 back to back GOTW prizes?
AL: I would say just doing the best I can every game, coming prepared, and most importantly coming through for my team in very important spots for my team, the team is the key for me, most important. So it doesn't matter how I do it, whatever works. So definitely 6-0 record, I would never before the start of USCL would think that I'd start off 6-0, and now I don't feel like I'm ready to lose a game
EV: I've read in your blog how deeply you care about the Queens team. How did you come to play for them?
AL: Well, I thought it was a good fit for me for various reasons; I am in pretty good terms with the manager Alex Stripunsky and think very highly of him, I think of him as a big professional. I liked the chemistry of the team ahead of time, when Alex told me some people in the roster: I get along well with Thaler and Parker too.
EV: What do you mean exactly by "big professional"?
AL: Just does things in the right way, always prepares for games, always helps others prepare and gives great tips. For every game he's helped me prepare very well. It's hard to describe because then I'd reveal some of the secrets he tells me about how to go about certain opponents and scouting reports, which Alex told me not to release anymore, given that Mark Ginsburg was upset at him. The ideas are based on opponent's styles and seeing their games and seeing what they feel comfortable or uncomfortable with :)
EV: Ok, new question. Which was your favorite game so far, and in which game were you in the most trouble?
AL: good question… I felt that my cleanest game was against Mark Ginsburg and I really liked that game because I felt that I truly outplayed him. I played solid throughout, made some active and some patient moves when I had to and pressured him the whole game. It also felt good to beat Arizona, because they were my old rivals in High School Nationals and Robby Adamson's team :) and because that they blog a lot.
But I felt my most exciting game was certainly Dean Ippolito. That game felt great, after a tough opening and being outprepared on move 1, I was resourceful, solid, made him use up his time and then made some decent moves. And the fact that the win just saved my team, that was a huge lift, to tie 2-2. It would've been tough to lose 2 in a row, especially to our closest competitors and a draw put us in good hands in the last game.
I felt I was in most trouble with Evan Ju --that game I was on the ropes. I was going to agree to a draw since we were leading 2-0, and I just got the win because Evan had to push too hard and go for complications in time pressure, so there I got a little bit lucky, as I felt overall I got outplayed.
EV: Greg Shahade said to me a couple days ago that he was very impressed with your play in the USCL, that you really hadn't made any big mistakes at all as far as he could see. Do you feel like you are playing so well because you have recently improved, or do you prefer internet games, or some other reason? And do you agree with his assessment?
AL: I feel that I have definitely worked hard lately on my chess using my Dvoretsky books. I have a lot of practical experience whereas the others don't maybe as much. I feel that I have good preparation for every game. I was white 4/6 games which helps :) I am confident every game. Of course, I got some lucky breaks, like vs. Ippolito or Zaikov, where it was hard to analyze every single tactical line, but it all worked out well for me.
EV: I think there is a lot of curiosity about how long you can maintain this amazing record. There are a few board 3s whom you might face in the next month who are also having strong performances. Any thoughts about matchups against Esserman or Shankland?
AL: I try not to think too much ahead, the opponent I think about right now is Emory Tate. Whoever my opponent is, my goal is to just bring out the best.
EV: I'm sure you don't want to give away too much about your preparation for Emory Tate, but I know fans are very excited. Anything you can share with them?
AL: Well, just be ready for anything. :) Get the shock ahead of time.
EV: What does that mean?
AL: Meaning don't get shocked during the game.
EV: I was hoping for something more provocative, like "The patzer Tate better watch out! I'm coming for him!
AL: Oh, ok. Well, I'm ready as I can be.
EV: Can you say anything in general about how you prepare: how long you spend, what you think about, anything like that?
AL: I look at all my opponents' games from both colors sometimes and look at their styles, and what structures they're comfortable or uncomfortable with.
EV: You made an interesting choice to work with Dave Vigorito. How is that going and how do you feel your game has changed as a consequence?
AL: Well he's giving me a reasonable rate which I can't dream of from any GM, and even though it's online with Skype, it works perfectly. I am not a little kid; I don't always need in-person attention. And he was also a good fit for me because he helped my openings tremendously, especially the closed openings. When you have a wider repertoire, you definitely have more confidence.
I feel it's totally normal, as long as the material is worth it, and it's not about taking lessons forever, sometimes just 3-5 lessons, even if it's a 2200 can be very helpful. Not only is Dave very nice, but he's written many books, etc. so he obviously not only knows openings but understands ideas.
EV: I think a lot of people will be curious why you chose someone who is slightly lower rated than you.
AL: I feel for a coach rating means very little; it's all about how good of a coach a person is, and what can he offer you, and how much is it worth. Until I was a 2300 I had a coach who was unrated USCF, he was an experienced coach in Ukraine for 50 years. For 3 years I had him, he was amazing, how professional he was and he really has great understanding of every part of the game. He's about 2000 USCF, and was about that in Ukraine but his knowledge and understanding was worth like 2600 and he coached Krush, Dorfman and Huzman in the past :)
EV: What was his name?
AL: Mikhail Trossman. I mean Kasparov and Anand and all the greats have coaches. Well, not Kasparov ;) But all the greats have someone lower to work with.
EV: I know you are teaching a great deal these days. Are you also going to school? Planning to be professional chess teacher / player?
AL: Yeah I'm teaching quite some time, but mostly in schools, 3 times a week for a wonderful organization, professional organization, Chess in the Schools, and I have a few private students. I'm also a student teacher as I'm in college at Brooklyn College. I'm going to be a math teacher when I finish college, and play and teach chess part-time. Chess is great for me, but I don't see it as my career.
EV: How many hours each week are you teaching?
AL: Hmm… maybe about 15-20, hard to measure accurately, but I also play, and do some other fun activities.
EV: Tell me about your recent and upcoming tournament chess.
AL: I won the state champs recently, which I was pretty happy about. I tied for first with my close friend Justin Sarkar, to whom I recently lost 3.5/4, just got outprepared in all my games. Justin really works hard on his chess, so obviously my motivation is to try to dedicate more time and try to prepare harder. My upcoming tournament is probably Marshall Chess Champs -- first time I would play in it. Very nice tournament, unlikely for a GM norm but I want to try to get Grand Prix points.
EV: Do you guys ever study together?
AL: We study together when we share at tournaments, but he lives too far away, in Westchester.
EV: Will you apply for the Samford at any point?
AL: I applied last year, but Krush and Bhat got it. Luckily this year they added one more spot for it for that reason, so I'm going to apply again this year and then let's just hope for the best.
EV: But they will not give it this year I think? I think they gave out this years’ last year?
AL: Well I just found out a few days ago but they are adding another one this 2009 year, so obviously that was very exciting news for me.
EV: Great! And you will definitely apply?
AL: Yes, no doubt about it. I feel this is the year before Robson and Hess become super players.
EV: Any other hobbies or interests besides chess?
AL: Watching TV, following sports, socializing. But mostly playing and teaching chess. And math: I really love it.
EV: Favorite subtopic in math?
AL: Algebra and the history of math (something involving numbers, and something you have to think about)
EV: Describe your chess style?
AL: Balanced. I can play tactically or I can play positionally or I can play endgames or for opening traps or for psychological traps.
EV: Favorite book, both chess and nonchess?
AL: Hard to tell, I'm not much of a reader, I loved the book on teachers and what it is like to be a teacher and classroom management, etc, I forgot the title. My favorite chess book when I was a beginner was a Karpov/Gik fun book with all exercises, and also Dvoretsky books like Sam Shankland :) I loved the Harry Potter books too.
EV: Are you interested in politics and if so, who are you voting for?
AL: Obama, for sure. I think he'd be a better match for USA: he's very smart, educated, will help the poor people, reduce the chaos from the stupid war. And McCain is too old.
EV: Ok, thanks very much for the interview and good luck on Wednesday against Mr. Tate.
AL: Ok cool. Go Knights! I'll try to beat the hated Boston in the last week. But first I focus on Tate. I will be ready. :)
IM Dmitry Shneider
the very serious US men's team captain, GM Alex Shabalov
WFM Abby Marshall and WFM Shirley Ben-Dak
GM Jesse Kraai
GM Alex Shabalov, IM Dmitry Shneider
WFM Abby Marshall, GM Jesse Kraai
Dima, WFM Iryna Zenyuk
Iryna, Josh
WGM Jenn Shahade, GM Var Akobian, WFM Shirley Ben-Dak, IM Dmitry Shneider
tilt the screen
the US team
IM David Pruess, GM Var Akobian, GM Josh Friedel
WGM Jenn Shahade
Var and Ira
photos taken by Alex Shabalov and Iryna Zenyuk
