Levon Aronian: pleasant to feel homeland’s support

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian commented on the 8th round of London-hosted FIDE World Chess Candidates' Tournament against b>Magnus Carlsen of Norway.

“I feel homeland’s support. I receive letters and text messages from Armenia. It’s pleasant to know people are following your games,” Aronian said.

Somewhat expectedly, neither player wanted to take too much risk and as a result the game quickly petered out to a draw. “I thought that Magnus was not going to take much risk and play solid,” said Aronian.

“I was just trying to play more or less solidly, trying to put some pressure without taking too much risk. It felt like the natural thing to do in such a situation. He played precisely in the opening. In general with Black in such tournaments that’s the way you play. You try and play solid and if there are chances, you take them, otherwise… You know, the players here are so strong that it’s not easy to win any game,” ondon2013.fide.com quoted Carlsen as saying.