Viktorija Cmilyte: "Great organization!"

Yesterday's Guest of the day was Grandmaster Viktorija Cmilyte, who effectivelly defeated Irina Bulmaga in a very sharp Sicilian, with black pieces. After she showed us her game, Viktorija answered a few questions.

Nadezda Stojanovic
You are an Olympiad double gold medal winner. You are a member of the strongest Bundesliga club Baden Baden, you are playing many leagues and many important top tournaments. So you are a very active chess player. Is it possible to make a living by playing chess and being a professional chess player? 

Viktorija Cmilyte
Yes, well it can change quickly, our life depends on the tournaments we play, whether we are in the national team or not, and things like that. For me, Grand Prix makes a huge difference. But of course, I think if you are in top 10 or top 20 in the World, then yes, you can make a living by being a professional chess player.

N.S.
At what time in your life you knew you are going to be a professional chess player? Was there any turning point?
V.C.
No, actually I wanted to be a professional at a very early age, I think around the age of 14-15. I really thought this should be something that I should do for a living. And it turned like that eventually. Even though I studied, and I finished my studies, I have never seriously considered doing something else.

N.S.
In 2011 u became a European Champion in Tbilisi. Yesterday my guest was Mr. Vladimir Bykov, who said that he would have liked you to win the title again. Also, I think that many people see you as one of the main favorites for winning the tournament. So do you see yourself as one?
V.C.
Well, not really. First of all, this is an Open tournament. And all the best European players are playing here. I am number eight here by my rating, so I just enjoy playing chess here. I definitely don’t think about the title at this moment, and I think that is the right approach.

N.S.
In the end, I have to ask you an unavoidable question, and that is how do you like Belgrade, and what do you think about the organization of the tournament?
V.C.
I think the playing conditions are very good, we live in a very nice hotel in the city center, and we play in the same place, so this is also very nice. I am glad that, for a change, we got the chance to play in a capital, and in a very beautiful city. So I am quite happy and I enjoy playing here.

N.S.
Viktorija, thank you very much for coming and good luck.