Anand will come back after taking full stock of the situation

Anand broken in the middle: Sasikiran
By Ashok Venugopal – CHENNAI
Published: 28th November 2013 06:00 AM
Last Updated: 28th November 2013 02:31 AM

Indian Grandmaster K Sasikiran believes Viswanathan Anand had his chances after losing the fifth and sixth games of the World Chess Championship against Magnus Carlsen.

He could have bounced back, but was found wanting in the middle game. In the endgame too, he was not able to execute his plans.

One of Anand’s seconds and the second Indian after Anand to cross the 2700 Elo rating barrier, Sasikiran spoke to TNIE about the match.

The following are excerpts…

How do you sum up Anand’s show?

Somehow, Anand did not get the middle game positions where he excels, except for in the ninth game where he played 1.d4. Possibly, an early switch to 1.d4 would have changed the situation.

He was not his usual aggressive self. He also did not capitalise on a nervous Carlsen in the initial rounds?

He had his chances in game three. Possibly, he could have put more pressure on Carlsen in that game.

Was Carlsen really unbeatable?

I did not think so. I had hopes even after game six. I strongly believed Anand would be excelling in middle game with more pieces on the board.

Where do you think Anand went wrong?

Our preparation was mainly on openings. But Carlsen sidestepped our preparations with his solid but unambitious openings and preferred simple positions with less pieces where he is more at home.

Anand believes that the fifth game defeat was crucial and after that he was depressed. Was it due to lack of self-belief or pressure?

After a slip in a drawn position any player will feel unhappy, especially in a World Championship match.

Anand also said his strategies could not be executed. What were his strategies like?

As I already said, Anand could not get the dynamic middle game positions where he excels.

According to you, which was the point when you all noticed that the match slipped away from Anand’s hands?

As far I am concerned, I was hopeful even during the ninth game where Anand created a position of his liking and built up a strong attack. Unfortunately, It was not his day.

After the fifth game loss did you (seconds) not work overnight to help Anand counter Carlsen and perhaps equalise?

Seconds mainly work on openings. We were trying our best. Anand was never outplayed in opening stages throughout the match.

Why was it that Anand failed to win a single game?

Carlsen plays a different kind of game aiming at simple and solid positions avoiding any arguments in the opening stages. It may take some time for top Grandmasters to cope with his play.

The big question is whether Anand was responsive to all your inputs and incorporated them into his game?

We worked as a team and had regular discussions. Our discussions were around choice of openings only. As I said earlier, Anand faced no problem in the opening stage of any game.

From the initial stage itself one got a feeling that Carlsen was outsmarting Anand in the endgame. Did you all (seconds) not focus on the endgame aspect and come out with innovations to tackle Carlsen?

The endgame is purely based on technique and calculation. Everybody knows Anand is very good at calculation and endgame technique. In game four Anand fought well with a pawn down in the endgame. It was unfortunate that there were lapses of concentration at the endgame stages in the fifth and sixth games.

How does the preparation work? Does Anand give inputs on what is required, like give me a novel opening of a particular variation and so on or the seconds offer suggestions?

It was both ways.

Who were the online seconds?

Anand is the best person to answer that.

How was the experience of being a second to a legend? Did you benefit from the exercise?

Of course, it was a great honour to work with the world champion. I am sure this experience will stand me in good stead in the future.

Were you in Germany with Anand? Did you work during any particular hour of the day, say early in the morning?

I was working with Anand in Germany after my participation in the World Cup at Tromso. I generally preferred working in the mornings.

How has Anand taken the loss?

Any player has to take such losses in his stride. I know Anand loves the game. He lost to Garry Kasparov in 1995, but came back strongly to be a world champion, winning in all formats.

What are his immediate plans?

He may play some top events for which he has committed earlier.

Will you be training with Anand for the Candidates?

I shall be happy to do so.

The gap between you and Anand is very big. When can this gap become narrower?

As of now, I am No 4 in India. Anand is a genius who entered the top 10 of the world at the age of 20. Let us hope that P Harikrishna or Parimarjan Negi blossom in due course.

Finally, did Carlsen’s experience of being a second to Anand in 2010 help him dethrone the world champion?

May be. It is hard to judge something like this.

Can Anand make a comeback and what does he have to do?

I am sure he will come back after taking full stock of the situation.

Source: http://newindianexpress.com