Shortly after finishing his second round on Saturday afternoon, eventual tournament-winner Alexander Goldin graciously took time out to talk with Ohio Chess Connection.

Those who have seen the Grandmaster in tournament play are aware of how seriously and intensely he takes the game, but during the Cardinal Open, Goldin surprised the players by exhibiting an unusually warm and glowing demeanor. Throughout the tournament, Goldin could be found chatting, laughing, and even watching YouTube videos with TD Riley Driver.

Besides being on track to winning the tournament, what put Goldin in such high spirits? As it turns out, Goldin loves the Dayton Chess Club!

Jonathan Hilton: What are your thoughts about the Dayton Chess Club?

Alexander Goldin: This place has really changed. I came in, and I saw the pictures on the wall and how nice everything was—even the sign on the front door that says “Dayton Chess Club”—and I was just amazed.

 There is a feel to this place like the clubs back in Russia. Of course in Russia these kinds of clubs were in every city, because chess was like a religion. Everyone played chess. I recall some statistic that said there were five million Category I players in Russia during the 80’s—that was not just the number of people who played chess, that was the number of people with some kind of chess qualification. Because chess was treated with reverence, chess clubs looked like this, with real furniture.

JH: How strong is a Category I player?

AG: It is hard for me to remember since it has been so long, but maybe 1400 rating strength or so.

JH: Who funded and provided for the chess clubs in Russia?

AG: Of course all the clubs were state-sponsored. The state paid for everything. It is not like here, where if you want a nice club you have to take a risk. That is what amazes me most, that someone put his own money into building this club!

JH: What is your favorite thing about the Dayton Chess Club?

AG: How spacious it is. With this kind of space, you can do anything. You can have a bookstore, you can have a coffee shop, you can have furniture, you can hold scholastic tournaments—the possibilities are endless. It may start slowly at first, but it will come. It will come.

 In this country I have played in thirty-five states and have not once seen this kind of chess atmosphere and attitude. The attitude is very important, and is what impresses me the most. I am very excited by this club because I think it has the right attitude about chess. This place is just going to keep getting better and better. It has potential. It will come.

(source Ohio Chess Connection ) 

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