Viswanathan Anand one of the greatest of modern times: FIDE president
Susan Ninan, TNN | Apr 1, 2014, 01.22 AM IST
CHENNAI: After losing his crown to challenger Magnus Carlsen without winning a single game on home turf in November last year, Viswanathan Anand swallowed the ignominy, put up a brave front and attempted to sport a reassuring smile before saying, “I need to take stock of what went wrong.”
Take stock he did, and in three months time he is again back in contention for his sixth world title. After his 34-move draw with Russia’s Peter Svidler in the final round of the Candidates tournament on Sunday which helped him finish with 8.5 points and earned him a prize purse of 13, 5000 euros, Anand looked immensely relieved.
“I really wanted the tournament to finish,” he said candidly. For a multiple world champion to go through the Candidates grind could be overwhelming; more so when it comes after 19 years. The last time he won the Candidates was in 1995, setting up a title clash with Garry Kasparov.
Meanwhile, FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhin hailed Anand’s win as very convincing. “In my opinion, Vishy Anand’s victory is deserved and very convincing. He once again proved that he is one of the strongest and greatest players of modern times,” he was quoted as saying on the tournament’s official website.
Expressing his happiness over the organization of the tournament in Khanty Mansiysk (Russia), Anand observed, “It was essentially flawless. I can’t pinpoint anything that wasn’t ideal. Overall, it was a pleasant and cosy atmosphere,” Anand said.
“I am obviously happy with my result, and also surprised how well everything worked out for me.”
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Kasparov thinks Anand is old and over the hill. He should give his spot to Nakamura or Caruana.
Nakamura WHO. CARUANA maybe but not the other guy. He’s not even in league with these guys but he believes he’s the best but never backed it up in any tournament he has played.
Give it to Nakamura? Naka doesnt belong in this league. The candidate is too strong for him. He belongs to the JR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP and may get lucky he might win there. But not this one. Its a NO NO.
Anand is stronger than Kasparov at this same age. So Kasparov needs to shut up.
Before the tournament he was not talking about these two. Kasparov was talking about Aronian and Kramnik. He has changed to these two now because they did not play the Candidates 2014. I mean they could not qualify.
I have been a huge fan of Kasparov the player and his chess wisdom , but not of his comments , which are not unbiased at times , specially those involving Anand. Kasparov was our childhood hero and we remember how we rooted for him in the Karpov – Kasparov duel.Then Anand came along. Kasparov criticised about Anand ‘ s chess Oscars too.