Paco Vallejo, our interview.

SPANISH READERS (AjedrezDeEntrenamiento.com)

Jhonattan

Hello, greetings in advance from Venezuela! What has been the best combination you’ve done …?

Hello Jonathan. Hard to say, but the ideas hidden in my game vs. Kuczynski in the Bundesliga, were very nice.

(Added after publication: “In the game with Kuczynski … I see that there is an idea after 23 … Re8, then after a Kh8, g4 with the idea of Be1-c3, very nice … I do not know what the machine says, but it seems good ” )”

David Kaufmann

Good morning:

First of all I would like to congratulate Mr. Carlos for this wonderful website and to give to readers the opportunity to ask a question to Mr. Paco Vallejo.

My question is: How do you do to manage your nerves, especially in major tournaments?

I would also like to congratulate you for having such high achievements in chess and wish you well in your career.

Greetings

Thanks David. As for the nerves I have no magic trick, I guess nobody has it, but if I try something and I do well I still do it… if it´s not, well, I´ll keep trying

Boris Chiffelle

Master Francisco Vallejo, my question is related to the psychic and psychological preparation that you do to address the games and critical positions. What exercises and/or literature would you suggest?

Hello Boris, like in the previous comment, there are many books on psychology etc, but I think in order to feel good, play well and be happy, what helps me the most is being comfortable with my life. One book I read recently and found it exceptional is “The Spiritual Laws” (there is a blog about it, where to download free) (I guess ii is only in Spanish. Carlos?)

Eduardo

What was your happiest and most stressful moment when playing chess? What did you do at that moment? Thank you very much.

Greetings from Saltillo, Coahuila, México

Hello Eduardo. I guess every game has its difficult moments, moments of tension, I can tell you that my game versus Feller in the European Championship was very difficult. As for moments of happiness, of course, winning the World Under 18 was fantastic, and recently I was thrilled with my victory over Ivanchuk, a player for which I run out of adjectives.

Carlos Guillermo (sabiodelciruelo)

Congratulations to this website, without doubt an oasis for Latin America in the world of chess

Master Vallejo:

At 16, you already had impressive achievements in the chess world, and you are certainly a pride of the Spanish-speaking players; my question is: What other activity would you have liked  to practice successfully if you were not a chess player?

Hi Carlos. I would have chosen another sport, I always liked the competition and I think I use to have a talent for quick learning. Who knows if we lost a great soccer player but a doctor once told me that my feet would not have endured high competition …

Angel Morelli

Dear Paco:

I see when I play women or children my chess strength goes down, sometimes because I get distracted and sometimes because I underestimate the opponent. This has cost me a few lost games. How should I depersonalize the rival?

Hello Angel. Hmm, well, I really think you have to think that you are your own rival, and think that way in every game, also in chess one can not trust anyone, as there are great players of all colors, ages, etc. .. .

Duende

Mr. Vallejo, first of all I congratulate you on your fantastic achievement in the competitive world of Chess.

Mr. Vallejo, what method do you consider the most effective to develop calculation skills? … And the evaluation of positions? … And finally at what point or level of Elo rating is it beneficial for an amateur exercise in blindfold chess?.

Thank you very much for your attention, Best regards.

Hello Duende. It is a very common question, but I’m afraid I’m just a good player … and perhaps this question is better to ask to a great chess coach. It´s like asking to Maradona how he could dribble… I doubt he could explain . If it’s any help, I’d say solve good exercises, or perhaps read Volokitin and Dvoretsky books, and until you get to 2400 rating (at least), give less importance to the opening, and focus your time learning how to “think” and to understand what the big players do.

Roberto Morales

My question to Sr.Vallejo: Since you were about about 2100 Elo, what kind of training did you do, ​​and how many hours did you spend every day? Also, which books do recommend for players with a rating of 2000 + to go up? Finally, how many hours does you think are necessary to spend if the goal is to be International Master?

Thank you very much!

Hello Roberto. When I was 10 years old I had already 2300… I think the number of hours is not so important, what is important is if they are spent with enthusiasm; and if you can do this training regularly, this will probably help you even more. I don’t read that many chess books, so I can’t  recommend. (See the penultimate question)

Simon Jaimes

Cordial Greeting.

Master Vallejo, congratulations on your achievements in the world of chess.

What decisive event helped in your decision to dedicate your life to Chess?

Greetings from Cartagena (Colombia).

Hi Simon, I chose it when I was a really little kid, just 5 years old, so I did not consider my future at all, just my passion. It is not advisable to try to pursue being a chess professional, the chances of success are slim, and even when you get there, the financial reward is not too great…

Jose Rafael Tarazona

My question is: I have problems with my games due to lack of concentration. I do not understand why this is so recurrent, when for example, in the middle game and beyond I have lost games when the position is practically won. Explain what’s wrong, pleeeassse. Thank you.

Hello Jose. Welcome to the club What I can think of is to try to make some sport, and if it is a sport that requires a certain intellectual prowess better … that is, not so much jogging but something like a team sport, for example, it might help you in the long run.

Jose Manuel Ramos

I sincerely congratulate Carlos Pujol for his magnificent chess website.

My question for Paco:

To achieve good results in competitions … do you sacrifice much or little when trying to find the best move in each game? To what extent do you trust intuition?

Thank you very much in advance, Paco, and good luck!

Jose M. Ramos. Tenerife – Spain

Hello, Jose. Regarding the intuition. I think I use a ratio of 80% calculation – 20% intuition, but I think you should use intuition to at least 30 to 40%

Tatiana:

For you, what is the best game ever played?

Hello Tatiana, millions of chess games are played every day, I really do not feel strong enough to answer that Also, I remember very few games in their entirety.

*

ENGLISH READERS

Ray Kappel

What are some tools every club player should have to train with?

Hi Ray , I guess a chess board and if you can get a computer with a chess database or some good magazines with commented games, that should be enough. I don’t have much more that that

Aidin

What’ were the most effective chess books and the your favorite one ?

(See answer at the end)

Lbrto Lbrto

Hi!

If you are to draw 10 golden rules of chess for a budding player, what would it be, and why?

Thanks!

 I will try to answer the 10 commandments … And I’m going to apply it myself!

1 / Happiness, a slight optimism seems to be the best mood to deal with your games.

2 / Concentration, forget about talking during games and turn off the phone and Skype during the preparation.

3 / Energy. As much some light sport before the game, it is important to feel not tired.

4 / Sleep; I would say sleeping 8 hours is ideal. A nap of 30 minutes maximum followed by a shower is not a bad idea.

5 / Opening Preparation. Try to surprise your opponent or at least not repeat dubious lines. In any case do not spend more than 2 hours before the games.

6 / Avoid time trouble. A large percentage of the errors come from the pressure of time. It is essential to maintain at least 1 minute per move.

7 / Study and learn well the basic endgames.

(Here the Master ran out the commandments. After all, you might not need that much )

Silguero, DV

Two questions.

What is your favorite food?

What Grandmasters were/are your favorite to study (assuming you studied Grandmaster games)?

Hi Silguero.

-I love the fresh tataki tuna my brother is doing and the lobster (very typical in Menorca , where I was born). In general i have refined tastes only for food.
- I don’t have preferences, it can be also an unknown player who plays a good game and i will still pay attention to it.

Jaylen Lenear

Hello I what are some training programs you’ve partaken and not in means of a camp persay but hing like a daily routine such as 30puzzles a day 1hr opening prep etc… just to give an example.

Hi Jaylen . Everyone has a different life so its very difficult  to give an advice for all . Try to take care about your physical and psychological part and of course if you can train couple hours for chess its perfect. Try to spend most of the time on tactics and strategy, almost forget about openings (try just to survive there), unless you have more than 2400 ELO

LaurentS

Hello Mr. Vallejo,

Computers have become so strong nowadays, it seems they are making theory in the place of humans.

How can you preserve creativity at top level ? Aren’t GM games becoming more and more a battle between computers? Don’t you think it’s time to switch to chess960 ?

Hi Laurent. I am afraid you are very close the the truth. Of course the games last 40 moves in general, and comp preparation average may be around 12-15 moves, so we still need to play by ourselves, but yes, chess 960 will be much more interesting i guess

Syed Faizan Ahmed Yahya

2 Queries.

How to enhance he concentration in game play ?

What are the exercises that you prefer to do before the game in order to eliminate the possible lack of concentration ?

Hi Syed. Maybe trying to create a routine that leads to a concentrated mood. Something like music may help.

Stephen

What does your study schedule look like?

Hi Stephen. Well… you know, lately my mom was calling me every day at 10 am, trying to force me to start studying… I am not very methodical yet, but don’t tell her!

Pietro94

Hi Mr. Vallejo! My questions are:

1) What do you do before and during a tournament? Do you keep training or do you stop training, only focusing on the games?

2) Moreover, how much important is sleeping before a chess game?

Thank you!

Hi Pietro , Before the tournament, I try to do sports, and chess very often. During a tournament, I kind of stop training, i just have a look at the opening or some tactics at some point .
- You can have a siesta before the game if you want (followed by a shower to wake up a little bit) but don’t make it longer than 25-30 minutes at max.

Arun.J

hey . . .!!

Do u believe that a great chess player can be created from lonely hours of intense preparation all alone? And Who are u off the board?

Regards,

 J

Hi Arun, I really doubt it… but maybe now with computers may be possible.
- Well, I am still trying to get to know me I am trying to be a normal , humble person, we are loads of people in this world and I don’t think i am better or worse than anyone

Derek Odom

Who is your favorite pre-1950 Grandmaster or world champion?

Hi Derek , Alekhine was amazing , really modern player, but i am not a big expert i must admit.

Arvydas

Nice game.You played with Topalov like the great Alekhine- i think at level about 3000 ELO !

Hi Arvydas, Right, pity I don’t play that level consistently enough..

Sagar:

I have read that some GMs have dedicated 6 or more hours at day studying chess to become GMs. Is that true? Did you do something similar?

Hi Sagar; well, some people dedicated thousands and some many more thousands. I think 6 hours is on the limit of a healthy daily training.

Karel:

Hi Mr. Vallejo,

Thanks for the opportunity. My questions are easy:

Your best attacking/positional game? Your best combination? Your best endgame?

Hi Karel, attacking game probably against Svidler in Monaco, but just a rapid game .

Positional… every game is positional and normally just few games are “special” for example Qa4-Qa3 against Tkachiev in Biel .

Endgame, I liked my game against Huebner in the Italian league.

***

AjedrezDeEntrenamiento/ChessForReal:

Regards, Paco. Thank you very much for agreeing to this interview. To contribute, I will include some additional questions:

1 – You recently finished the Grand Slam playing against the best in the world. How do you assess your performance in the tournament, regardless of the outcome?

In the Grand Slam I played the worst chess I’ve played in recent times, probably I could not adapt myself well to the time control of 1hour and 30 min for 40 moves with no increase.

2 – I’ve seen some of your games, and it is a recurring theme where you play risky attacks to the king, crazy pawn storms … is this something that is part of your style, that you look consciously for, or is it pure coincidence?

I try to adapt to the position, but it is clear that I like fun positions, with chaotic pieces, etc, but I think I can play any position well.

3 – Could you recommend to our readers books that have marked a Before and an After in your understanding of chess?

The only book I really liked is “Attack” by Tahl, the others that I read are interesting, but they really didn’t touch my heart.

4-And finally, what do you think of our site AjedrezDeEntrenamiento / ChessForReal? Could you give us some suggestions to make it better?

If you keep the enthusiasm, the improvements will come naturally.