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 In what turned out to be an extended vacation, the
"Tiger from Madras" wound up his commitments in India, and looks set for the battles coming up in the year ending World Championship at Moscow.
We found the World Champion Viswanathan Anand
in his usual happy go lucky
mood at his residence in the Chennai suburb on the seaside, Beasant
Nagar. The
Chathurangam team arrived, just when Vishy was on to his night meal. The waiting made the photographer fidget a bit nervously, but the Champ arrived with his usual smile, and put the duo at ease. Settling down for post supper chat, Anand spoke in his articulate but simple way, and joining the conversation briefly was Anand's wife
Aruna, who has been the driving force behind the Anand team.
How relaxing was your trip to India this time ?
It's been quite a long trip this time. And I like my schedules with NIIT, going about the country. It was more like an office routine 9-6 on several days. I took a week off to Kerala, to Kumarakom and Thekkady, but
couldn't sight the elephants.
On the whirlwind tour of India as IT Giant NIIT's brand Ambassador ?
It was quite interesting. They had the hugely successful Bhavishya Jyothi scholarships and also they were working with a few NGO's in Bombay and Bangalore, where I made the visits. Meeting the blind children in Bombay was very touching. They're quite remarkable, I was watching them work and they do a lot of things. I was getting a feel of the whole country, as my trip covered all the metros. I was going to Hyderabad and Bangalore after a very long time, and I liked it very much.
 Observations of the current chess scene in India which holds the World Champion title, the Commonwealth Champion title and the World Junior Champion (Girls) title !
It has been a big revelation. Lots of youngsters are coming in these days, with the press, public and sponsors coming forward to sponsor the kids. With such growth and results, we are narrowing the gap and in a decade I can see more Grandmasters coming up from India.
How does it feel to defend the title, this time around ?
It feels nice and my aim is to retain the title. Basically it was a sensation in Tehran. I feel like just going in the same spirit, with a ready to fight attitude. And the Knock
outs are always unpredictable. I would just like to think from round to round, go ahead with the game on hand.
And the pressure of having a billion people behind you for another go at the World title ?
The pressure will be there again, but not so much like New Delhi. And you can as well be knocked out !?
 On the big Indian contingent for Moscow which adds up to ten !!
Its quite a big number, five each on the men and women's side. It shows the positive development signs in India. It was seven in New Delhi last year, and it shows just that the Indian chess is progressing in the right direction.
About the month long break between the semi finals and finals in Moscow !?
Well, let me think about it when I reach there.
What are your scheduled commitments for the next few months ?
I am playing in Corsica Rapid at France, followed by the World Championship at Moscow and then the traditional Linares at Spain in February, 2002.
 About the impact of the horrifying World Trade
Center assault and on the
memories of your
1995 PCA match there with Kasparov ?
I was on vacation at that time, and it was very tragic, leaving so many people dead. The year has seen quite a few disasters including Gujarat and New York, man made or otherwise. I played there in 1995 on the Observation Deck on the 107th floor and the hotel I stayed was totally destroyed. But life has to go on.
On Peter Svidler's interview in Kasparovchess that any talk about World title should include Kasparov, Kramnik and yourself, ignoring your Dortmund show ?
I can see some justification in his statement. Me and Kramnik have been tracking each other for quite some time, with some consistent performances.
Well, Svidler's comments are very nice.
Wishing you a successful retaining of the World title in Moscow !
Thank you very much !
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