After defeating Levon Aronian in the Elimination final, Wesley So talked with the commentator Cristian Chirila.
Wesley So commented on his dense tournament schedule:
I’m like the only player who doesn’t have a rest day in this tournament. I also think this is my fifth tournament in a row, I’ve been playing non-stop for eight weeks. I played in Wijk aan Zee, played in Dusseldorf, also played some online.
But you know I love chess, I’m very grateful to the Saint Louis Chess Club for hosting tournaments like this and giving people like me and Leinier work.
If it goes your way then that’s good, if not just try to keep getting better.
On the question about what he does to stay in good physical shape, Wesley said:
I was reading about Bobby Fischer in the museum and that’s one thing he was really really good at. He was so
physically strong, and so is Magnus Carlsen, so that’s definitely one thing I could improve upon. I try to exercise, either take long walks during a tournament. I try to swim when I’m back home, I swim two or three times a week for an hour.
I try to also eat healthy. When I was younger I could eat anything I wanted. I’m getting close to 30 and the doctor told
me I have to watch my diet here and there. Try to you know eat healthier, try to eat more fruits and vegetables, try to sleep 12 hours every night.
Cristian Chirila: 12 hours? Okay!
Wesley So: I mean it’s not easy but I try to lay in bed around 13 hours a night. Because during the game you need your full concentration. When I’m back at home I don’t really need much sleep but when I’m in a tournament I try to get as much as possible.
I saw on Bobby Fischer’s interview that he wakes up like an hour or half an hour before the game so he comes to the game very fresh. For me it’s a bit different, I do some review here and there, but I usually wake up around three or two and a half hours before a game.
I know Magnus does the thing, he just wakes up and then goes to play a game and maybe that’s the secret. I try to learn from great players.
