Interview with student of Samarkand State University, participant of the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai (India) Marjona Malikova

    -Why did you choose chess?

    - I have been playing chess since I was 9 years old. When I was little, my parents played chess together. As I sat and watched them move the figures, those black-and-white cages seemed to me mysterious and wonderful, like incense. Then I went to school. When I was in elementary school, a chess club was opened in our school. On the recommendation of my mentor, I started attending chess.

    -Remember your first win?

    - When I was 9 years old, I took second place in the provincial championship. It was my first win.

    -What is the secret of your success?

    -Support loved ones.

    - How do you perceive defeat?

    - Losing in the first place means that the game is over. That is, you lost, you can no longer be a participant in this game. It is worth noting that each game takes place once. You can probably play again, but in the previous situation you cannot play in the previous situation. Therefore, it is difficult for me to get used to the defeat immediately.

    -When were you accepted into the national team of Uzbekistan?

    - I got into the national team in 2021. Participating in the Major League among women, I managed to take a place in the top six. After that, she was accepted into the national team of Uzbekistan. Before that, in 2019, I took second place in the Asian Downhill Championships. After that, I was given the opportunity to enter any higher educational institution without exams. I chose Samarkand State University. The reason is that Samarkand is my hometown. In addition, outstanding scientists, scientists and statesmen of our country have grown from this university. Samarkand State University makes a great contribution to the training of useful personnel for the development of our country. I see my future in him. In the future, I want to continue here and master's degree.

    -If you also mention your participation in the World Cup.

    -Possessors of 5th place, who took places in the major leagues, were selected to participate in the World Championship. I took fourth place in this race. After that, preparations for the Olympics began. After intensive and thorough preparations, we set off for Chennai. It was the first time I played with a Ghanaian player and I won. After that we played with the American team. This time I missed the win. I was lucky to win the match against the Dominican Republic team. In the overall standings, the girls' team won 7 out of 11 rounds.

    -What is sport for you?

    - Chess is my second life.

    -Have you ever thought about quitting sports, if so, why?

    - I didn't play chess for about a year because of boredom, lack of friends with whom I felt good. But something in my life seemed rare. Then I realized that I could not live without chess and returned to chess.

    -What did sport give you in the first place?

    -Family, friends and everything I have achieved so far have given me the best. With each team member, we represent one family.

    - How, in your opinion, is chess sport developing in Uzbekistan today?

    - It would be good if there were separate chess classes in schools. Children should study chess from elementary grades. Chess is an exercise for the mind, the best tool in the development of logical thinking and worldview in children.

    -What are your plans for the future?

    -Now I am preparing for the Western Asian Championship, which will be held from September 5 to 15 in Kyrgyzstan. My main goal is to get the title of world grandmaster. In the future, if I retire from professional chess, I will also be able to continue my career as a coach.

    What color do you like to play with?

    -I like to play with white. At the World Championships, I played black. So there was a time when I also saw defeat.

    -Given that life is chess, what kind of piece would you like to be?

    - Life is like chess. You must be careful not to do anything without knowing the consequences. If we thought of life like chess, I would like to be a horse piece. Because it behaves differently compared to other grains. Not a single figure can repeat his walk.

 

Samarkand State University

Information Service Officer

Interviewed by Iroda Bekmurodova