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One of the strongest chess players in the country, Sergei Karyakin, in an interview, spoke about a recent terrible accident in the Kherson region, a rare souvenir from SVO soldiers, protection from threats from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a sharp drop in income, joining the team of Russian President Vladimir Putin and attitude towards the participation of athletes in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
A native of Simferopol, Karyakin studied at a chess school in Kramatorsk (Donetsk region). From the first days, the grandmaster openly supported the SBO, for which he was disqualified by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and missed the Candidates Tournament for the world crown. Later, Karjakin stated that in international tournaments he would fundamentally play only under the Russian flag, and not in a neutral status as decided by FIDE.
— Sergey, I know that you feel comfortable driving a car. How much mileage do you usually cover in about a week?
— We have several cars in our family. And on one of them, since 2021, the speedometer already has almost 150 thousand kilometers. This is only on one of the cars (with a smile). In fact, I travel a lot and some time ago I drove to Crimea, stopped in some places along the way and ended up making about four thousand.
— What was the purpose of the trip?
— There was a wonderful event at the Artek camp, there was a chess session for about 60 children from Donbass. The guys rested, gained strength and worked out. We have already held the “Donetsk chess shift” in Krasnogorsk, together with the local authorities we were able to receive about 60 children from the DPR at a very good level.
And not so long ago we agreed to carry out a change with the management of Artek. The children were able to make the most of all the created infrastructure. By the way, I was there a little over a month ago at an event and saw how beautifully everything was built there now. And what great opportunities are created there for children. I was in Artek as a child in 1999 and compared to that time now it’s just heaven and earth.
— How long did it take to get to Artek? ?
— If I say this, and then your meticulous readers calculate my average speed along the way, it will probably be wrong (with a smile). The only thing I would like to note is that we always try to go with at least one of the drivers. Because once I had a crazy record: I spent almost four days behind the wheel. But after that I told myself that I would never do that again.
The car can no longer be restored after an accident
— How many times this year have you managed to get out into the SVO zone and new regions of Russia?
— I go there about once a month. But the only thing is that one of the trips recently turned out very poorly. The fact is that in November we were delivering humanitarian aid to our soldiers and got into a very bad accident. I was with my friends, the car overturned several times, but thank God, everyone survived.
I broke a couple of ribs, they still hurt a little, but overall no big deal. For two guys, everything went off completely without scratches, one injured his back, but he was told that he would wear the corset for a month and everything would be fine. We unanimously came to the conclusion that we escaped with only a slight fright.
— Wow. And where did this happen?
— In the Kherson region. It so happened that I was driving and had to avoid a head-on collision. Everything happened literally in a split second, I had to quickly make a decision and it turned out that we flew into a ditch and overturned.
We were in an SUV that is now almost beyond repair. To put it mildly, after the accident the car was simply in terrible condition. Theoretically, it’s probably possible to do something, but I don’t know if we will do it. Most likely, you will have to buy a new car.
I don't blame anyone for this but myself. After all, the driver is always responsible for those who are next to him. So, I had to be a little more careful.
You need to understand that the situation in the Kherson region is now quite tense and, moreover, the roads are very poorly lit. And it happens that you simply don’t see some things. But I will say this: I had to avoid a head-on collision, and the accident was not related to the fact that I somehow got too reckless. This is how it all turned out.
— It turns out that we were on the verge of life and death?
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— Yes, it really was like that. But, thank God, everything worked out. At such moments, when you fly into a ditch, turn over three or four times and understand that nothing depends on you… Where the car will ultimately land and what will happen in general. Even then I had time to think that we might end up in a mined area, because this is actually a war zone.
— Wow, you even had some thoughts running through your mind. a few seconds.
— I had two thoughts: the first was about the mines, and the second was how stupid it all turned out. After all, some fatal coincidence of circumstances happened: suddenly an oncoming car flies out, you quickly make a decision and fly into a ditch. But if we had driven in this place a minute later or earlier, then nothing would have happened. But everything that is done is for the better. Therefore, everything will be fine.
— This could not have been a provocation?
< br>— No, I do not think so. Let's be honest, in the new Russian regions everyone drives very quickly because they are afraid of shelling and air raids. And it happens that many people, for various reasons, are afraid to turn on the side lights. And if this happens in the dark, it creates big problems. And if you only at the last moment notice a car without dimensions, then an emergency situation arises.
Emergency situations in the Northern Military District are all too common
— Such risky cases do not discourage the desire to continue raids into the SVO zone?
— On the one hand, there are such thoughts, because such emergency situations happen there all the time. For example, last time we drove through fields and some terrible and completely broken roads. We got to the positions, handed over all the cargo they needed to the fighters, and when they returned, they simply caught a nail. The tire got flat, and we just spent a lot of time and effort to replace it in those conditions. This entire area is not yet completely safe.
On the other hand, I still think that I should do my chosen job. Because any similar accident could happen in Moscow. I believe that I have found my definite calling — to help our soldiers and people who live in the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. And, of course, I will continue to do this.
— Sergey, what do soldiers and civilians say, what words stick in your memory and soul?
— Everyone supports us, wants to be together with Russia and wishes for a speedy victory. It happens that in difficult situations people are ready to endure a little longer if necessary. Of course, everyone has very high hopes for us.
— They don’t have a shock — surely Sergei Karyakin himself came to us?
— Sometimes it arises, especially from those who know chess players. But in general, I think that we are all doing a common cause. And it is not so important who will give them humanitarian aid, Sergey Karyakin or any other resident of our country. The main thing is that, if possible, we all need to do this and help.
Gift from Azovstal
— Didn’t the soldiers on the front line give any special souvenirs — shell fragments or something similar?
— What I have such small gifts, including after the storming of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. And the guys from the 118th regiment gave me a very beautiful and cool knife with a personalized signature. It's always nice when you are given such a unique thing. And now the knife is always with me in the car.
— You are very famous. The Ukrainian intelligence services probably consider you one of their important targets. Are you taking steps to protect yourself and your family? Danger may be in the air, but sometimes there is a very short distance from it to real threats?
— Yes, I completely agree with you that these are not mythical threats, but absolutely real ones. I am taking certain measures to protect myself, but I would not like to specify anything now. In any case, I record all the threats that I receive, consult with lawyers and transfer information to certain law enforcement agencies.
I am grateful to all people for their support, because I was subjected to a very powerful psychological attack, especially in the first days and months of the SVO. It was very difficult, but the help of many helped me get through this difficult moment. I can’t tell you everything, but several times I received calls with direct threats. And then the relevant specialists dealt with these issues.
— But there is also a danger of physical attack. Have you been advised to hire a bodyguard?
— Of course, I know that such threats exist. But for certain reasons I cannot answer questions of this nature.
Income due to the position on SVO fell by half
— Sergey, previously one of your key income was tournaments abroad. When you are banned from playing under the Russian flag, how much of an impact does that have on your budget?
— Of course, it hit and was quite noticeable. I made quite good money at international tournaments, and received especially good prize money in case of successful performance. And when he won the world championships in rapid chess and blitz, and when he played a match for the title of world champion in classical chess, these were serious earnings.
On the other hand, I am pleased that in my life I have already managed to create some kind of safety net. I won’t say that I’m financially independent at all, that would be untrue. I have some kind of base, but in any case I want to do something, and if we are talking about money, then I want to earn money in certain areas.
— Compared to previous years, have you now lost twice as much? Or even at three?
— At least twice, and maybe more. But I can note that to some extent the traditional “Chess Stars” tournament, which was held in Moscow for the third time, helps me out. Because there is a very decent prize fund here (15 million rubles) and if you perform successfully, you earn very good sums.
— Now that there are no trips abroad, your family is probably Are you happy that dad is almost always at home?
— On the one hand, I now sleep at home much more often than before. On the other hand, it is a colossal misconception that I have become less busy. Now it will be connected with the upcoming elections, and also with a huge project within the United Russia party to open chess clubs at the headquarters of this organization in all regions. The workload, believe me, is really very heavy.
The invitation to Putin’s team was not a surprise
— Weren’t you surprised when, on the eve of the elections, you were invited to the team of Russian President Vladimir Putin?
— I wouldn't say it came as a surprise. It may sound immodest, but I have been on our president’s team for a long time and in previous elections I was also his confidant. And now, of course, I was counting on such an offer. I perceive this as a great honor bestowed upon me, but at the same time I was expecting an invitation. For my part, I hope to be very useful and justify the trust placed in me.
— How did you find out about this proposal?
— To me, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin called (with a smile). Of course, this is a joke.
— Putin recently said on a direct line that he allows our athletes to participate in the 2024 Olympics in a neutral status. But he noted that if their rights are infringed, then the country’s sports leadership must make an informed decision. How did you understand his words?
— I believe that it is simply incorrect for the president of our country to speak on this matter. If we, say, do not participate at all, then we need to hold some other alternative major competitions. And if we don’t organize them, then, in my opinion, athletes should not be prohibited from participating — if someone really wants to compete at the Olympics in Paris. Vladimir Vladimirovich always stood guard over the interests of athletes and supported sports. And that’s probably why he didn’t have the opportunity to say that under such conditions there was no need to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris.
You know my position well — I am against participation in the 2024 Games under such unfair conditions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). But I still secretly hope that the IOC will define criteria that are impossible for us under which we will not go to the Olympics at all. And it will be for the better (with a smile).
— And then you will have a chance to perform at the World Friendship Games?
— I I heard that chess is included in the program of these competitions. And if I am invited, then, of course, I will play. Because that would be just wonderful.
No time for black caviar
— In 2015, at the Candidates Tournament in Moscow, you said that one of the main secrets of victory was the three-liter jar of black game handed to you in front of him. Now everything remains the same?
— Black caviar cannot be on the table every day, it must be some kind of festive dish. Therefore, if I were playing, say, a match for the world title, I would definitely eat black caviar with spoons (with a smile). And now I don’t see a big incentive in this, I eat it sometimes, but it’s not some super popular delicacy in our family kitchen.
— Where do you get black caviar from — from Astrakhan or Dagestan?
— I don’t even know, old good friends supply it to me. And where — sorry, no comment.
— Sergey, what would you call the main result of the outgoing year?
– If we speak politically, then this is definitely the nomination of Vladimir Vladimirovich as a candidate in the presidential elections in Russia. On the other hand, I traveled to our new territories many times this year. I can say that I made friends there and, of course, I feel my duty in this. And I feel a certain importance in the sense that I can really help people. I think this is very important. And I urge everyone to provide all possible support to our fighters.
— And if you receive an offer to become, for example, the Minister of Sports of Donbass, what do you say?
— I am talking with (interim head of the region) Denis Vladimirovich Pushilin. And if he makes me such an offer, then I, of course, will consider it.
— Consider and agree?
— It seems to me that that if you represent any region of the country, then it is advisable to live there permanently. Yes, I visit Donetsk regularly, at least once a month. But how well do I know the problems of all sports in the region, and not just chess? This, let’s say, is a big question. I’m interested in this globally, but I still want to bring real benefits to people.
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