Master mind: Viswanathan Anand
20 Jun 2010, 0448 hrs IST,
Ishani Duttagupta, ET Bureau
He is not called a true gentleman for nothing. Grand Master Viswanathan Anand, a role model for millions of youngsters, is probably the most talented and yet most down-to-earth celebrity that India can boast of.
Talking about how he maintains his proverbial cool, the king of chess says that he has not done any serious work on the game since May 11—after he won what he describes as his toughest match ever—the FIDE World Chess Championship in Sofia against Bulgarian Veselin Topalov. Further, he doesn’t start serious work before July, when he’ll start preparing for various tournaments around the world from August through December.
He’s now balancing out his life with gym sessions, walks, movies, TV, music and reading. “I read on different subjects such as maths, economics, astronomy and some fiction as well,” he says. Anand likes to take a 10-day break before big events where he does some light work but tries to relax. This year, it was a holiday in Venice with his wife Aruna.
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I hope he’s not rusty.
The match and all around it must really have worn him down. It’s a wise decision to enter the scene quietly again.
Are you kidding? Vishy cannot quietly to anything! He is world champion! Even his hair piece is at least 2700 Elo…
oh yes, he can do quietly, there are many examples in recent tournaments where he drew over 80%.
Actually I hardly saw him make any effort in recent years besides the WC matches.
Nothing wrong with that though.