How does it feel to surpass Kasparovs three titles at Wijk aan Zee?
You are now on a par with Euwe, Portisch and Korchnoi with four titles to your credit. Of course, I am quite happy to have joined this select club, but I would like to complete a hat-trick. The last two years are especially notable since I won outright. You have played in Wijk aan Zee from 1989. What is that special chemistry that makes you return each time and also to perform there? It was my first big international tournament and of course that makes it a special place to return to. Also, the organisation is flawless and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed except for the chess. You can walk by restaurants or bars in the evening and they are all playing chess out there. You had called Wijk aan Zee as the `Ice Box’ of the refrigerator. How was it this time? There were some really cold years (-31C in 1996), but the weather this year was really nice. It was a relatively mild winter this time. Did you expect to score more than plus four (8.5/13) this time? Well, had I not lost in the p
