Vladimir Kramnik: To Reach the Top, Create Your Own Style

Vladimir Kramnik, a renowned chess grandmaster, shares his insights on the impact of computers on modern chess. He believes that a top player with access to a much more powerful computer would have a high probability of winning a match. This is because such a player would gain a stable advantage right from the opening, which, though not decisive, would be enough to tilt the balance in their favor.

Kramnik also reveals that he and the creators of 'AlphaZero' have been working on various chess variants with slightly altered rules. The goal was to evaluate the appeal of these new variants compared to classical chess. The study involved 'AlphaZero' playing many games under different rules, which were then analyzed and compared. Kramnik mentions that the results were interesting, with some variants proving to be more engaging and dynamic than classical chess.

Despite the advancements in computer technology, Kramnik emphasizes that the human factor remains the key influence on the result in high-level chess. He believes that the level of play, personal strengths and weaknesses, and psychology are crucial. Kramnik also shares his philosophy on learning from personal experiences and the importance of developing one's own approach to the game.