Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Learnt lessons at Chennai, to Russia with revenge in mind

- B Shrikant sportsdesk@hindustant­imes.com

MUMBAI: Twelve months is a long time to bring a tectonic shift in any situation. In case of Viswanatha­n Anand, he needed fewer months to revive his fortunes and mount a fresher, stronger challenge for the World Championsh­ip crown.

Since he was dethroned as world champion by Magnus Carlsen in Chennai last year, a lot has changed for Anand (42). After the initial period of brooding, self-doubts and indifferen­t performanc­es, the Indian came roaring back into form at the Candidates Tournament in March this year, bagging the chance to challenge Carlsen again. The second Anand-Carlsen match will be played in Sochi, from Saturday. The Indian challenger took time out of his last-minute preparatio­ns to answer some questions. Excerpts:

You have won everything, so what keeps you going?

I don’t really think about who I am and where I go. I get up and think OK let’s look at some chess. Some game piques your interest and you get fascinated. I still feel there is lot to learn and enjoy in chess. Last year was not so great. How well are you prepared for Carlsen?

I have done my preparatio­n and am reasonably satisfied. I don’t sit and think too much about Chennai.... It’s over. Russia has always been good for you (In Russia, Anand beat Boris Gelfand to defend the world title in 2012 and won the Candidates to qualify for Sochi)…

That would be the plan. It is being seen as a revenge match…

Playing a match within a year of losing the title is a morale booster. I am happy that I qualified in a very satisfying manner. More than that, I am not really thinking too much about Sochi vis-a-vis Chennai. Do you think Carlsen delaying signing the contract was part of the mental games? Do you sense jitters in Carlsen’s camp?

I play chess according to my rules. I prefer to keep things simple. After Candidates, I knew who my opponent was and prepared. I don’t really read too much of chess news so I wasn’t aware of it. Is Sochi unfinished business?

As long as you are ambitious there is always unfinished business. You said last year that Chennai was a low point of your career…

Definitely, there are some lessons that were learnt. My playing in Candidates was more important and I was happy I played my style. You were at your best when it comes to preparatio­n and execution at Bonn in 2008, Will we see Anand of Bonn at Sochi?

I hope to play well in Sochi. Bonn was a great result (beating Vladimir Kramnik) no doubt but can’t think of that too much. Going by your experience against Veselin Topalov and Gelfand do you think Carlsen will be under greater pressure?

It’s a championsh­ip... there is only one winner so whether you are defending or wanting it back it doesn’t change much. Would your age be a factor?

In a match only good moves count. So I will focus on that. How much will your recent form in Bilbao Masters help you?

I am happy I have done well. I look forward to Sochi with positive feelings.

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