Chess player Murzin spoke about the past World Rapid Championship

On January 3, Russian chess player Volodar Murzin talked about how the World Rapid Chess Championship (Rapid) in New York went.

Speaking about his victory, the champion admitted that it was not easy for him.

"It's hard to say that it was a surprise of some kind, because last year I was quite successful in Rapid. <...> This year I was able to score 10 [points] and take first place. Of course, there were nerves, it was psychologically hard," Murzin shared.

He added that he always aims to take first place at competitions. The chess player also noted the skill of his opponents.

"The opponents this year were very strong. I think I gathered the entire star cast," he said.

When asked whether the 18-year-old grandmaster immediately realized that he had beaten the entire "star cast", the athlete admitted: after the end of the game he did not have time to look at the results and realized that he had become the champion only when everyone began to congratulate him.

According to Murzin, he became interested in chess at the age of seven and then it was just a hobby.

"Then I had my first successes, and I realized that it was mine and I wanted to do it. I started to devote four or five hours a day to chess," the athlete said.

Murzin advised young chess players to read more relevant literature.

"The main thing is not to be afraid and believe that everything will work out," summarized the World Rapid champion.

He never dreamed: How an 18-year-old Russian became world rapid chess champion

Volodar Murzin, Alexander Grischuk and Yan Nepomnyashchy took the entire podium at the Rapid World Cup in New York City

Murzin won the World RapidWorld Championship in New York on December 28. According to the results of 13 games, he scored 10 points. In the final round he drew with white pieces with Karen Grigoryan from Armenia. The second place went to Russian Alexander Grischuk, and the third place went to Russian Yan Nepomnyashchy, who scored 9.5 points. Thus, Russia took the entire podium at the Rapid World Cup.

Later, on December 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Murzin on his victory at the World Rapid Championship. The head of state noted the athlete's skill and excellent preparation.