Smerdon: I was too nervous

The Chessvibes blog has a special interview with recent Bangkok winner IM David Smerdon. David gives an interesting insights into his performances as well as into his game against Pinoy GM Rogelio Antonio Jr.

I was just too damn nervous at these events. I’d put a lot of pressure on myself to get the norms while overseas, and travelling all the way to play Moscow only serves to exaggerate this importance. I never relaxed, and the chess games themselves became work, and only a means to the elusive ‘norm’. I didn’t enjoy playing at all.

Courtesy of Chessvibes.