Wei Yi: Chess Shapes Teamwork Across All Walks of Life

What inspired you to start playing chess, and what keeps you motivated to continue now?

I was about 6 years old. My parents took me to a local cup in my hometown, and when I saw a chess game for the first time, I was very interested in it because of the different shapes of the chess pieces. After one or two years, I went to a chess tournament, and the result of it was not very bad. So my parents thought it would be a good idea for me to continue to learn chess. When I was 11 years old, I decided to become a professional chess player. And 3 years later, I became a grandmaster. And what still keeps me motivated is my love for chess.

What advice would you give to aspiring chess players who are just starting their journey?

I would say play more games, do some puzzles. But the most important thing is to be persistent. Because you need to play continuously, at least a game per day. It's also important to enjoy a lot while you are playing.

What resources or tools do you recommend for beginners looking to learn and improve their chess skills?

It would be good to read some classics first, such as books from Kasparov and Fischer; they are masterpieces. And of course, to watch games.

How do you approach preparations and training for important matches?

Generally, I just analyze the openings of my opponents, I watch some of their games. And I rest a lot; that is very important.

Can you describe a typical day in your life, balancing chess practice with other activities?

I am also going to university so I do not have too much time. I study economics and management. But whenever I have time, I work on chess. I train about 7-8 hours per day whenever I can. Sometimes I read books, I listen to music or play computer games.

What specific skills and qualities do you believe people can develop through playing chess?

Patience, perseverance, and also a different mode of thinking. For children, this is particularly important. Chess can also help you in your studies, especially when it comes to strategic thinking. It also helps a lot with team building, for example, when you play team tournaments, you learn how to cooperate and work together, and this applies to all walks of life.

This year, you will be playing in the Grand Chess Tour, Superbet Rapid and Blitz. You have already played one such tournament. What was your experience back then?

Yes, I played in 2019. After the first two days of the Rapid, I got good results, but after that, it wasn’t so good. But these types of tournaments help you develop. Also, the Grand Chess Tour is an important tournament because there you can meet some of the strongest opponents in the world.