1. First of all – Congratulations for winning the tournament!
Kozhin: Thank you!

2. Are you satisfied with your games in QT?
Kozhin: In the beginning of the tournament I was very nervous, especially in the second round when I played with Makarov. Eventually I managed to find the only defense move that was very difficult to see. After that particular game the internal tension in me eased up and the rest of the games I played more stable. Briefly saying, the tournament was quite successful for me. In addition to that, I believe that QT is quite good training before the A-final.

3. What do you expect from AT?
Kozhin: There has been a tradition of Japanese Meijin being the World Champion each time when he has participated. In other case the winner has been from Europe. So, this time the Europeans have the good chances. Personally, I try to show a stable playing style as in last two Russian High League tournaments.

4. Please predict the top three in A-final.
Kozhin: I think that in top three there will be one player from Japan, Estonia and Russia.

5. You will be playing in the final for the 5th time already. Still, the results from the last four have not shown your real skill. Can you explain what has caused that phenomena?
Kozhin: Before I thought that theoretical preparation and the skill to sense deeply the position were they keys of success. Since there are no weak players in WC, psychological factors seem to be decisive in equal struggles. Russian renju players have many times lacked the psychological confidence (except Dmitri Ilyin, maybe).
During 1991-1997 I was in rather good shape but my failures were only caused by psychological factors – I just could not cope with pressure. After the WC in Sankt-Petersburg in 1997 I changed radically my system of preparation and I hope to play more successfully this time.

6. Thanks for the interview! We wish you a nice tournament!
Kozhin: Thank you!