KibBlitzing with Denker Champion
Scott Low!

Current place of residence: Silver Spring, Maryland
Date of Birth: 5/13/92
USCF Rating as of 9/5/08: 2183

- Who will win the World Championship?

SGM Viswanathan Anand.

- What was your best tournament result ever?

The 33rd Eastern Open in 2006. I gained nearly 100 rating points and only suffered losses to Ivanov, an IM, and an FM. It really gave me confidence for the future, knowing that I'm capable of performing well. The tournament also was the first FIDE rated event for me in my quest to establish a FIDE rating.

- How do you react to a loss?

It really is disappointing after losing. There's nothing I can do after I've lost to make it not lost...I just focus on winning the next round and not let the emotions of losing get to me too much. It's important in chess--or in anything competitive--that you are able to rebound after setbacks, bad breaks, losses, whatever you want to call them!

- Kramnik seems to think you must look good to play well. How important is a chessplayer's wardrobe?

There is absolutely no significance of a chess player's wardrobe! Unless forced to dress formally, I always come to tournaments in casual fashion.

- What is your favorite cereal?

Frosted Flakes... you can't beat the sugar!

- Do you like your knights turned to one side or the other?

I don't care what side my knights face. It is, however, entertaning and interesting to see how others have their preferences and reasons behind them!

- Are you skilled in any chess variants?

I once learned the art of both "losers" and "atomic chess" on US Chess Live [now World Chess Live], and played at a high level in both the variants at some point. Unfortunately for the losers and atomic communities who care, I have come to the realization (from my perspective, at least) that they are a mere waste of time, among other time wasters I waste time on, and have been retired from these variants since. I consider myself a pretty good bugger. Though, as of recent, I've cut down the bugging for higher priorities.

- What brings a chessplayer good luck?

Many people are superstitious about chess, and often people say their opponent got lucky (even I do). But in truth, there is no luck in the definite game of chess. Certainly there can be external factors like touch move making you lose, but chess really is RAW skill.

- What do you do while waiting for your opponent to resign?

I have the tendency to hold my pen ready to write my opponent's move down because this is where I (and I imagine anyone else!) can get impatient. Also, I leave the board when it's not my turn because serious analysis and calculation are no longer necessary.

- An opponent rated 500 points lower than you is up a rook against you and offers a draw. What do you do?

If I only have a king left and my opponent has an extra rook, I'll certainly take a draw. I may accept under the circumstance(s) of clinching first/a title, money, or some prize. If the position is complicated and it appears that I have some counterplay to work with (especially things like mating threats, tactics, initiative, etc.) then the draw offer is definitely DECLINED, despite whether compensation is genuine or not! ♦