theysay

Calling it a 50-50 is probably wrong. Carlsen is still the favorite, but my intuition suggests this time the outcome will be decided in the last game. I was Anand’s second in 2013 and can tell you it wasn’t that easy for Carlsen, too. The final score suggests an easy ride, but if Anand didn’t lose an equal position in the fifth game, it could still go either way...

PETER LEKO, former World Championship challenger 6-6 and Anand will win in the tiebreak. But Carlsen is stronger at the moment.

VASSILY IVANCHUK, former

world No 2 The match is going to be exciting. Anand will probably prepare well and will have less pressure. I expect lots of tension.

VLADIMIR KRAMNIK, former

world champion If Anand plays his best chess, it may become one of the best matches in the history of chess, close to the second Kasparov-Karpov match at least.

ALEKSANDER GRISCHUK,

Russian Grandmaster The start is very crucial and if Anand can get off to a good one, then there is no looking back.

ABHIJIT KUNTE, Indian

Grandmaster I hope for an interesting match. Carlsen is the favourite, but, as the wise Grischuk said: “The winner of the Candidates tournament becomes a different person!”

BORISWorld ChampionshipGELFAND, six-time candidate