I’d
like to address Chess Today Issue CT 85(1234) Thursday March 25, 2004.
Dennis Monokroussos took issue with Siemen Agdestein, Magnus Carlsen’s
trainer, comments that Magnus will thump Kasparov in two or three years. I
enjoyed Dennis’s commentary on Chess fm. But I think
he is too
sensitive. There is no doubt
Kasparov is the number one rated player in the world right now and the
greatest world champion in chess history.
However Magnus is a very talented and exciting young chess player.
Great young players can blossom over night.
A 2-3 year period is a huge amount of time for a talented young
player to develop. I don’t think Siemen was out of line at all, he
obviously recognizes the great talent Magnus possesses. He was simply
promoting Magnus and challenging him at the same time. That’s what
coaches are supposed to do. If Magnus continues to work hard, he will
become a top player. I don’t think it’s inconceivable to think that
Magnus will defeat Kasparov in a game of chess within the next 3 years.
With the recent discussions about friendly draws, I think chess players
have too much respect for other players’ abilities. Chess could use a
big dose of these bold comments to make it more exciting and challenging.
I recall a few years back, during Base Ball’s All-star pre game
festivities, starting National League pitcher Curt Schilling crossed paths
with American
League All-Star Alex Rodriquez (A-Rod). Schilling told A-Rod “ I
going to strike you out”. Sure enough Schilling struck A-Rod out during
the game. Chess needs young talented exciting players like Magnus Carlsen
and we also need excellent chess commentators like Dennis Monokroussos.
Chess can also benefit from doses of bold predictions backed by talent and
hard work. Magnus has already defeated one ex-world champion.
He
defeated Karpov in a blitz game earlier this year.
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CT-85(1234)
The
First Daily Chess Newspaper on the Net
Letters
to the Editor
by
GM Alex Baburin
"Hi,
Alex!
I'm
glad CT-1229 presented the quote from Magnus Carlsen's trainer, GM Simen
Agdestein, claiming that "in two or three years time", Carlsen
will "thump Kasparov". I am a Kasparov fan (though not rabidly
so, and I'm also a Carlsen fan, for that matter), but even if I weren't,
I'd have found Agdestein's
remark rather foolish. First, as great as Carlsen is at this age, and as
much talent as he clearly has, it's ridiculous to make such a comment
comparing an IM and, arguably, the greatest player of all time. Second,
Kasparov, based on all his accomplishments and current strength, does not
deserve to be the recipient of such a comment. Dislike him, fine; complain
about his behaviour and
comments about other players, understandable. If you're tired of his
dominance, I can understand that. But to make such a comment is just
disrespectful. One doesn't have to be worshipful; just respectful:
Kasparov was world champion for 15 years, has been the highest-rated
player for 20 years, and has done more for the game in terms of publicity
and money than anyone but Fischer. Maybe Agdestein's comment is suitable
for a WWE press conference, but not here. Finally, I think it's
counterproductive – it will give someone who may also be, or at least
for a long time was, the
psychologically toughest player of his time, further motivation when
playing Carlsen in the future, while perhaps putting an unfair burden on
Carlsen to achieve a world championship level before he's really mature
enough to do so.
Regards,
Dennis Monokroussos"
Alex
Baburins comments :
I
am sure Simen has a lot of respect for Kasparov as one of the greatest
chess players
ever. My guess is that his comment was deliberately in the WWE style!
Magnus is a hot item in Norway at the moment and a bit of publicity cannot
harm him. And the phrase "Carlsen will thump Kasparov" will go
down much better with newspapers and general public than something like
"in a couple of years we might get a small opening advantage against
Garry in the 6.¥e3 Najdorf"! .
Anyway, I
personally don't find anything inappropriate
in such claims, particularly if Magnus himself will take them critically.
Chess is a polite sport but top chess players are no strangers to wit and
bold claims – and they surely can take some aimed at them. Remember
Garry's prediction for his opponent in the 1993 match and the match
itself? Then Garry said: "It will be Short and it will be
short". Nigel did not like it, but it surely did not damage chess –
I wish there was more wit around! Such a shame that Tony Miles has
left us...
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