Swiss IM Kurmann Targets Grandmaster Title, Leverages ChessBase for Training

Swiss International Master Oliver Kurmann has embarked on an ambitious journey to achieve the Grandmaster title, a goal he candidly admits comes at a challenging time. In an interview with the Swiss Chess Federation, Kurmann delved into his plans, career path, and the training methods he employs, including his prominent use of ChessBase.

Having already secured the three necessary Grandmaster norms, Kurmann's primary focus is now on his rating, as he is currently 118 points shy of the coveted 2500 mark. Fully aware of the demanding nature of this pursuit, he is dedicating himself entirely to the task.

The lawyer, whose favorite player is Garry Kasparov, has taken a sabbatical to commit fully to his chess aspirations. He acknowledges the formidable obstacles:

"Objectively speaking, the timing for an 'Elo attack' is the worst I could possibly have chosen," Kurmann stated. "Due to Elo deflation, it is currently more difficult than ever to achieve major rating gains at this level. Moreover, I am at an age when performance levels tend to decline for most players. Nevertheless, I am optimistic and will see where I stand at the end of the sabbatical."

ChessBase: An Indispensable Training Aid

Kurmann, who has notably won the Swiss Team Championship with Lucerne multiple times (2018, 2021, 2022) and plays in the Bundesliga for FC Bayern Munich, shared extensive insights into his competitive chess approach, personal development, and the complexities of the modern, increasingly professional chess environment.

Emphasizing the continuous effort required, Kurmann stressed the importance of self-improvement and critical analysis:

"You have to keep going and draw the right conclusions from your own games."

He also highlighted the crucial role of digital resources in contemporary chess training. "Tools such as ChessBase are indispensable in today's training," he affirmed, "but the result is decided at the board."