My focus is on Boris Gelfand: Viswanathan Anand
Susan NinanSusan Ninan, TNN
Dec 23, 2011, 01.29AM IST
But exactly that is the case now. Having drawn 21 of his last 27 games, questions are being raised about the world chess champion’s current form. Ask the man himself, and he is anything but worried. “Yes, I’ve played out a number of draws of late. I wasn’t getting too much space on the board. But I don’t feel I’ve been playing too badly as such. It’s not something that I’m dwelling on. Right now, my focus is the World Championship and it wouldn’t help much to cloud my thoughts with past performance,” he says.
Felicitating student ambassadors of NIIT at a promotional event here on Thursday, Anand interacted and willingly obliged hordes of autograph-seekers in his usual unassuming way. Looking beyond the recent dark spell of draws, Anand has had three tournament wins at Leon, Botwinnik Masters and Corsica, all shorter forms of chess, this year.
With all eyes now fixed on the World Chess Championship to be played in May 2012, where Anand will play Boris Gelfand of Israel, the 42-year-old promises it will be an exciting contest. Familiarity breeds complacency, but Anand is not ready to take it easy, though he and Gelfand have played each other quite often over the last two decades.
“Boris and I have known each other for more than two decades now, our first match against the other going way back to 1989. We know the other’s style of play only too well, but I am sure he’ll have some new strategies in place for me, and I hope to work my way around them,” the chess ace adds.
Quizzed as to whether he would like his son to follow in his footsteps, Anand breaks into a hearty laugh. “My son’s all of eight-and-a-half months now, so it’s a little too early to fathom his interests and orientations. Once of age, I would surely put the chequered board before him and much would depend on how he responds.”
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
anand is the greatest champion ever.