|
"Bobby will always remain a legend... " in the words of World No.2 Grand Master
Viswanathan Anand, who on a recent visit to his home town, Chennai,
spoke to Chathurangam correspondent R.R. Vasudevan. Q: How
was your trip to India this time?
A: A bit relaxed.
Q: Your preparation - were you able to catch up
with it or was it totally relaxing?
A: In general, I try not to prepare too much here. Just look at all sorts of things. I
start training when I get back.
Q: Was it more like a break?
A: Something like that.
Q: Will it give you more energy to take on
things?
A: Well it remains to be seen. In general, it is good.
Q: On your daily schedule and preparation...
A: Generally, I wake up in the morning. Do some exercises, a little physical. Sometimes in
the evening we, i.e., myself, Ubilava & Fritzy, start working for five or six hours
and then relax a little.
Q: What is the programme that you use regularly?
A: I basically use only Chess Base. And also Fritz and Hiarcs.
Q: You've been in the top five for nearly a
decade. What is the winning combination? Is it preparation, inner faith, etc., that makes
it so?
A: I don't go into the reasons. I just play my game. It comes from everything -
dedication, preparation, etc.
Q: How does it feel to stay on top consistently?
A: I am very happy that my chess results in the last few years have been good. More than
that you can look back with some pleasure. And not dwell on it too much.
 Q:
By winning Chess Oscars twice in a row, does it seal your consistency on top?
A It's the same. I think Oscar for me was like a sign that rest of the world acknowledges
you. I am very happy about my chess.
Q: Have you received both the Oscars?
A: No. Spassky gave me the '97 Oscar and the ceremony for '98 Oscar is yet to come.
Q: What is your state of mind before a crucial
game? Do you go with an open mind or feel like finishing off the opponent?
A: No. I suppose you have to play with an open mind. You can't play with some objective in
mind. You just start from the first move and go on.
Q: Sometimes psychology plays a big role, like
when you win or lose two games in a row. Isn't it?
A: That's inevitable. But in general it always helps to play with an open mind. It's
always good to understand that we have no advantage in the opening.
Q: So you go with an open mind irrespective of
the player or colour?
A: You try to. You may be depressed or happy, but you do not think about it. Obviously I
am not going to finish the game in 20 moves. Is it not?
Q: About Bobby Fischer being elected as the
"Chess player of the Century" by a vote in the internationally renowned magazine
CHESS.
A: Well it is perfectly in line with my own thought. I am very happy with that. I do think
in those years he did enough, so that he is recognised as the player of the century. What
must be understood is that he worked all by himself in a country which did not support
chess very much at that point of time.
Q: Also is it a fact that it was he who brought
worldwide attention to chess, in addition to money and sponsorship?
A: Yeah. Bobby will always remain a legend. In fact, even if he tarnished his image a
little bit recently, most people prefer to ignore it. You go through Bobby's "My
sixty memorable Games" and you will know that his love for chess is something
magical.
Q: On the possibility of the Ultimate World
Championship with Kasparov...
A: Nothing has changed since the match was called off. I mean as and when the promoter
finds a new sponsor, he might get in touch. At the moment, if something starts, it should
pretty start from the scratch.
Q: About the possible preparation for the
match...
A: I am not thinking about it. If he comes back, we shall start thinking about it.
Q: Any news on the Linares front?
A: No Nothing yet. When I go back to Spain, I'm hoping to hear something.
Q: Have you heard of Teymur Radjabov, the prodigy
from Baku?
A: There are a few nice prodigies like Radjabov, Xiangzhi Bu, Howell. And this guy
Ponomariov. All are 14-year-olds and very interesting. Still it is quite early to say.
Q: The book on your best games, that you
co-authored with GM John Nunn made very enjoyable reading. Did it take a lot of your
preparation time?
A: It was enjoyable work. It was a good chance to look at your games. It was quite a lot
of work. John made it easier for me, by doing the secretarial work, giving the material
and posing a few questions on the position.
Q: The short notes in your book had an air
personal touch...
A: They are always the best part, for these things make it nice.
Q: On your notes about the Ivanchuk, Linares 1993
game that you had prepared on home till 1-0...
A: It happens once in five years. I enjoy the game at home.
Q: A similar win against Kramnik in Petroff more
recently...
A: As you can see, Kramnik came up with an improvement at the Wijk Aan Zee tournament.
These things work for only one game. Basically, if it keeps working you keep using it. If
it stops working, you stop using it. I enjoyed both the games though.
Q: Is there a next book in the offing?
A: Nothing. Let us see, I might write. Now it has not come into my mind.
Q: What are your immediate tournaments?
A: The blitz tourney in Poland and then Wijk Aan Zee tournament in The Netherlands.
Q: Is the field interesting in Wijk Aan Zee with
Morozevich joining the list?
A: I've played a few rapid games with him and not the classical ones. His style is more
like Asian and it should be quite interesting.
Q: And you've mentioned before, that you like
playing in Wijk Aan Zee.
A: Yes. I think the atmosphere there is very nice. Just the whole ambience, I like it very
much. It's pleasant and you see a lot of friends. It's just that I enjoy going a lot, and
you enjoy each one for different reasons.
Q: Coming to the domestic front, how do you rate
Sashikiran's run of titles in National "A" and Asian Juniors, together with the
bronze in Asian Teams at China?
A: I think he's clearly the man to watch. Plays quite well and hopefully he will finish
his GM title requirements quickly. That should be a springboard for him to play more
tournaments. He's obviously in the right track.
Q: A word to the current crop of Indian
youngsters, on their direction...
A: They seem to be going along the right lines. The trick is very easy. Play a lot in the
tough circuit. If you feel comfortable with the level, move up to the next level and keep
going ahead. Also look at your games, study them, understand and draw from their
experience.
Q: Were you in a position to see the games of the
Indian juniors?
A: A little bit of Sashikiran's game and that of Aarthie's in Spain.
Q: How were Aarthie's games in her World Under-18
title march in Spain?
A: Quite nice. I was in United States at that time, but was following the results. I was
very happy that she won.
Q: After youself, Aarthie is the second champion
from Madras. Did you meet her on your current visit over here?
A: Yes. She'd come over one day. I congratulated her and I hope she makes a lot of
progress.
 Q: On the personal side, how
does your wife cope up with your passion for the game. Is she interested?
A: She's very supportive and has got some love towards chess.
Q: Has she become an "in person" in the
circuit?
A: Yes. Something like that.
Q: About her knowledge of the game. Can she enjoy
watching the games, good ones and so on?
A: I guess so! She figures out the rules and can play at an acceptable level. Watching all
the games she has picked up a few points. I think she enjoys the emotions of the
spectators, of the press room and all other Grand Masters.
Q: And how has it gone with the home life?
A: Yes, it has gone on quite well.
Q We wish that the turn of the millennium should
make you the world champion!
A: Thank you.
- R R Vasudevan |
