Teymur Rajabov: "Risk at the game with Aronian frustrated my plans"

20-year-old grandmaster connected the successful start with the play for win in every game, APA reports.

"First games were successful for me. I think, it is because I always played for win. I didn’t want to compromise after taking over the leadership. And Topalov tried to prove that it was by chance after he had lost the world chess crown to Kramnik. Bulgarian grandmaster was very persistent to win the tournament. He managed to pull himself together despite the failure at the beginning. I was supposed to play with strong opponents in the middle of the tournament. I was to play blacks with Anand and Kramnik. It was a very difficult situation. I should do my best to escape the attacks. I have not cleared out some points though the tournament has been finished," he said.

The grandmaster said that he had been tired after the start games and this had a great impact on the following games.

"Success at the start games made me tired. I lost many points as my opponents were strong. I don't like to make a draw. But it is impossible to play all 13 games and win," he noted.

Commentators observing the tournament called him the winner. Rajabov considers it normal.

"Chances of Kramnik, Topalov and Anand were highly valued. Anand have been a winner of the Corus tournament for five times. They prevail over me in age and experience. So commentators' calling me the winner is normal," he said.

Teymur touched upon his defeat by Armenian Levon Aronian.

"I was very tired at the game with Aronian. I decided to play carefully. Unfortunately, the wish to win showed itself. On the other hand, Topalov won Anand. So I tried to risk and win. I have always played for win at the game with Aronian. But this risk frustrated the plans. I was not upset for losing the game as I lost it," he stated.

Our grandmaster is going to join "Linares" tournament. The first half of the tournament will be held in Morelia, Mexica and then Linares, Spain, in February-March.