Sujatha Srinivasan

Sujatha Srinivasan reports from the venue

Interview with Viktorija Cmilyte by Sujatha Srinivasan.

Ms. Cmilyte the 17 year old Lithuanian is a tall young lady. This towering photogenic lady has recently won the gold medal on the top board at the chess Olympiad at Istanbul, Turkey.

Q. When did you start playing chess? Who was your inspiration?

A. I started when I was six. My father taught me the game and he was my inspiration.

Q. Who is your favorite chess player?

A. Bobby Fischer.

Q. What is your educational background?

A. I am now in my 12th form.

Q. How have you prepared for this championship?

A. I did not have much time to prepare. Actually I relaxed after the Olympiad.

Q. Who is your trainer?

A. Gediminas Rastenis.

Q. What do you think about this knockout format?

A. The system is good. It is not easy to play and I am quite nervous.

Q. Whom do you think will win this championship?

A. It is hard to predict who will win.

Q. What do you think about your Olympic performance?

A. Lucky to win.

Q. Have you been to India before?

A. No, this is my first trip.

Q. Did you have any idea about India before coming here?

A. Yes, I did. I learnt few things about India in school and also from Geography.

Q. What do you think about India now?

A. The country is very interesting. It is much hotter compared to my country and I really enjoy it. (Lithuania is really very cold now).

Q. What is your opinion about Indian players?

A. They are strong.

Q. What do you think about the Braingames world chess championship which got over recently at London?

A. It was an interesting match.

Q. What are your hobbies?

A. I play basketball and volleyball. (She is really tall enough to fit into any Basket Ball team.)

Q. What are your other interests?

A. I love learning languages and would like to take that up in the university. (She already knew Russian, Lithuanian and English.)

Q. What is your aim in life?

A. Don’t know. (Then she added) Play chess, to have family, children, to finish university.