Anand wants to make chess a pan-Indian game
Mohammad Amin-ul Islam, TNN, Dec 24, 2010, 01.21am IST
On rural India’s contribution to sports….
It’s definitely a good sign to see more and more players coming from rural areas. Whether it is Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games and even cricket, most of these sportspersons are making India proud. I think it is a significant change in Indian sports. For me, I would like to take chess to the rural areas and make it a pan-Indian game.
In the backdrop of Tendulkar’s 50th ton, do you think you got a decent media coverage after you defended your World title this year?
Sachin is a great cricketer. But I’m happy to be a chess player and the recognition that I’ve got from the game. I couldn’t have ask for more. I am happy to promote the game in our country.
Should Sachin get the Bharat Ratna?
He (Sachin) has been doing a great job in international cricket. But I am not in the position to suggest awards. I think the main thing is do well in sports and rest is peripheral.
On the prospect of losing world No. 1 ranking (the list will be out next month) to Magnus Carlsen at year-end…
How do you rate your new challenger Carlsen?
Carlsen has been able to win a lot more games than me. In Nanjing (China), I finished behind him at the Pearl Spring Chess Tournament. He is winning four games in a tournament and I am still a bit low. In terms of world ranking, it is a function of the margin. The margin between us is very narrow.
Anand will rule for another 10 years.