Elisabeth Paehtz: Pleased that Russia is developing women’s chess

Elisabeth Paehtz, one of the top seeds of the women’s tournament of Moscow Open 2010, the strongest WGM in Germany, answered the questions about the forthcoming tournament:
  
- How many times did you participate in Moscow Open? And how successful was it?

- I played last year. It was neither good nor bad. And two years ago I came to visit Anna Burtasova, and was helping her.

- What do you like about Russian tournaments? What don’t you like?

- I like the atmosphere: good company, many friends. Russian mentality is closer to me than the German one. But I don’t like food.

- Do you enjoy playing in a separate women’s tournament, or, would you prefer everybody to play together, and the prizes for women remain the same?

- In general, I don’t mind either way. But it is much easier to win good prizes in a separate women’s tournament. When we play together with men, a drawing of lots in the last round is crucial. For example, at the Gibraltar competition a drawing of lots was conducted manually. The situation was that on the last day I got an opponent with the Elo-rating of 2500, and my competitor’s opponent was rated 2100. She won, and got a good prize, and I drew, and was left with nothing.

- What is, in your opinion, a distinctive characteristic of Moscow Open? Something that is different from other tournaments?

-A distinctive feature is that there are many different groups. And I don’t know if there are any other Open tournaments for women. I really like the fact that women chess is developing in Russia. Unfortunately, it is not the case in Germany.

- How are you feeling in Moscow in winter? The forecast for February is -20. Aren’t you afraid?

- No, I am not afraid. It also -20 in our country. I really like snowy winter. We do not have it very often back home. It’s only this year we are so lucky:)

- What is your attitude towards women “Oscar”? Are you going to put your name down for the best female chess player 2009? For whom would you vote?

- I would not put any name down for it. “Oscar” is a characteristic of Hollywood. And people there are already messed up in the head:) Chess “Oscar” has already got a bad reputation. People have probably thought that we are even crazier than in reality. As for me, I did not play very well in 2009. Nadya Kosintseva was the one to progress most. I would have chosen her.

- How is your service in the German army? Upon completion, would you consider entering Russian State Social University, like Sergey Karjakin, for example?

- I completed my military service in April 2009. Now I am studying for a degree in “international journalism” in Berlin. It would be interesting to enter a Russian university afterwards. I am more Russian than German. So I can live in Russia. But I am still very punctual:).

- Which time control do you prefer - classic or blitz? Will you try to qualify for the Blitz women’s world championship scheduled for September 2010?

- I have not heard about the blitz world championship. It’s interesting. I’ll probably play there. But I prefer rapid chess, for example, with time control of 20 min + 10 sec. I am not so young for blitz chess any more:).