Vladislav Artemyev, a fourth-year student of the Volga Academy of sports, is one of the few representatives of high-level sports who did not remain without competitive practice during the days of self-isolation. The world and European chess champion takes part in online tournaments with the participation of world ranking leaders. Otherwise, Vladislav is no different from millions of compatriots: he sits at home, studies remotely, and walks on the balcony with his daughter…
- Vladislav, is the Abu Dhabi Super Blitz Challenge not the first tournament in which you take part?
- No, I have already played in an online tournament organized by chess24. But this was a more closed competition involving eight chess players. In the first round I won against the Cuban Lenier Dominguez, and in the semifinals I lost to the pole Jan-Krzysztaf Duda. The match turned out to be a hard one with the score 6: 6. the game went to one victory.
- Specifics of the game online? 
- The value of the psychological component decreases. It is easier for chess players to abstract from the influence of names. They play with the strongest more freely than when they sit with them at the Board in the hall.
- What is the situation with cheating (dishonest game) in online chess?
"There is a problem. I have heard that on major sites, cases of foul play are tracked using special analytical programs. In addition, when you play in the video app, you are watched on the screen.
- 1,100 chess players took part in the one-day Abu Dhabi Super Blitz Challenge. how hard is it physically?
- At the preliminary stage, I played 11 games, and 6 more in the playoffs. Usually, a maximum of 11 games are played at such tournaments. This is not easy, but it is interesting and, as it turns out, allows you to earn good money. So, I intend to continue performing online. Besides, sooner or later, the quarantine will end. And at this point, the chess players should approach in good shape. We can't lose our game tone in isolation.
- In this regard, chess players are in a better position than, for example, track and field athletes.
- Well, everyone probably has a chess Board and a computer at home, unlike a treadmill. And in normal life, we spend a lot of time in front of the monitor.
- How do you cope with the hardships of self-isolation?
- It is good that I managed to return home to Kazan from the training camp. We spend time with our family. The hardest thing to bear is a sudden change of rhythm. I usually travel a lot. Yes, and sports are not enough. At home, of course, there are dumbbells, I do exercises. But it is difficult without outdoor activities. I, for example, love to play football. Another disadvantage of isolation is the inability to go out with a small daughter. Helps out the balcony. I don't have a dog, just a parrot. But it is difficult to walk it.
- What do you do besides chess?
- Now you can spend more time studying. I have a diploma defense and state exams ahead of me. Fortunately, this is not a problem today, even if you can't leave the apartment. I perform current tasks in the distance learning system, and consult with my supervisor via messenger. Recently, for example, this is how pre-defense went. Zoom communicated.