GM Arthur Kogan to play the Politiken Cup again after 12 years!

Politiken Cup 2008 will be one of the largest chess festivals in Europe

Upon seeing him on the list of confirmed participants, we've asked GM Kogan to share his past experience and expectations for this year's event.

Yes, I will play the Politiken Cup after a long break of 12 years! Probably it just took me such a long time to recover from the trauma of a young unexperienced player that, while heading into the last round, found himself in position to win one of the biggest opens in the world! (back then it was also a very strong lineup!)

But than I faced Viktor Korchnoi in the last round, and here's brief description on what happened:
I was better as black after the opening... but later on I was stupid enough to trust his scoresheet that we had 40 moves completed, but it was move 39 and I lost in time in a position with very probable draw! Korchnoi apologized 10 times at least...but move number 36 or 37 was written 2 times... :-(

So he won that strong event by surprise, he was not so young, and took probably the biggest Politiken Cup prize ever. Even Bent Larsen, who commented live this game for the visitors, had a few critic words to Viktor the Terrible! For me it was a great lesson - 'Don't trust nobody, only to yourself'! Later on I went to win few tournaments, it was a 'hot' summer! :-))

Of course, now I still wish to win this tournament, and that's why I go there, I always play for win! Maybe I will get my revenge against Viktor if he comes :) ...otherwise, just to try to enjoy my games and play creative moves! :-))
I recommend you to see my games vs Gaussel or Sher from the past event!

Arthur didn't mention how his analytical abilities then impressed a group of British Grandmasters so much, that GM Jonathan Rowson included an episode in his masterpiece "Chess For Zebras".

GM Arthur Kogan now lives in Tarragona, Spain, and is intensively preparing the first Masters training camp at his Olala Chess Academy, that will take place on 1-7 September in Salou.

Olala Chess Facebook Group

Politiken Cup website

GM Arthur Kogan