World champion gets ready to defend his title against Carlsen starting Saturday
If the press meet held at Chennai on Thursday in the run up to the World Chess Championship match beginning here on Saturday is any indication, chess aficionados are going to see a war of nerves between defending champion Viswanathan Anand (43) and world Number One Magnus Carlsen (22) of Norway.
Anand did not hide his happiness when asked how he felt playing before the home audience. “I am happy to be here in my hometown. I am really grateful to Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa for hosting the event in Chennai,” said Anand. He said he was looking forward to play against Carlsen.
The 22-year-old Carlsen too is in high spirits. “I am also happy to be here and look forward to the match,” said the challenger.
To the surprise of one and all, Anand revealed the names of his ‘seconds’ (the team of players helping and advising him about his and Carlsen’s shortcomings and weaknesses). Grand Masters Sasi Kiran and Sandipan Chanda (30) of India, Radoslaw Wojtaszek (26) of Poland and Peter leko (34) of Hungary are Anand’s seconds.
“This is surprising. Usually the contestants do not reveal the names of their seconds,” said T N Reghu, veteran sports scribe. Carlsen substantiated the observation made by Reghu when he declined to reveal his team of advisors. “I appreciate Anand’s openness. But I am not going to return the favour,” said Carlsen.
But Anand was quick to point out that he had an ace up his sleeve. “I do not claim that I have revealed my entire team,” he said with his trademark smile.
The Norwegian said he was really impressed by the popularity enjoyed by chess in Chennai and said it could be due to Anand.
The tie will begin on Saturday at Hyatt Residency in the heart of the city. The 12 game championship will extend up to November 26. If the championship ends in a draw, November 28 has been set aside for tie-breaker.
Meanwhile, Thursday evening saw Jayalalithaa formally inaugurating the championship in the presence of both the players and officials representing FIDE, the world body chess body.
Asked how well he has prepared for the event, Anand said, “I worked as I always did. Couple of months of training and I think I am ready to attack. We will see how it goes but I think I am ready to play.”
Anand said that he was not perturbed of being underdog. “I don’t know. In general, I get ready to play against certain opponent. That is it. As for whether some thinks I am a favourite or not or the percentage that I enjoy, I do not know what you can do with that information any way.”
With five world titles, Anand believes his experience could come in handy. “Obviously, it (experience) is one factor among many. I will bring to bear those factors into my game. Definitely it is one of my resources I would like to draw from. We will have to see.”
Carlsen also does not seem to take the favourite tag very seriously. “I do not know if everyone considers me a favourite but in general I expect to do well in tournaments. If I manage to do well to my abilities and levels, I can win and that will be my mind set here as well,” he said.
Anand was emotional with the prospect of winning a sixth title in his home city. “For me, I am happy to play world championship match in Chennai in this life, which is my home. Now that has come to true that I am to play at home, I must now try and play my best. At this moment, I am only thinking as to how I am going to play,” he said.
Anand was also not in the mood to react to what his opponent had said in a recent television interview. “I enjoy good food, that is for sure. As for the rest, you say lot of things during interviews. It makes no sense to response to everything,” said Anand.
Carlsen had said that Anand enjoys good food and he (Anand) is somewhat lazy even though much more serious for a match like this.
For the media hype generated by the event, Carlsen was happy, saying, “I am happy that there is so much interest for chess in India. Anand is a star here and I am hoping there will be lot of chess fans and media in general and lot of positive interest around the match.”
Tamil Nadu Government is the official sponsor of the match and have given a cap of Rs 29 crore as the total budget which is inclusive of a prize fund of around Rs 14 crores.
In all, 12 games will be played in the match under Classical system in which both players will get 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 and the 15 minutes for the remaining game with an increment of 30 seconds per move effective from the 61st move. The first to score 6.5 points will win the match and the remaining games will not be played should it happen before the 12th game.