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| Viswanathan Anand |
Andreas Schiendorfer, editor of the online magazine
In Focus, is renowned for his lively interviews. Back in 2006, on the occasion of the
Lichthof Chess Champions Day, he conducted a
widely read exchange with Garry Kasparov. So we were very pleased to arrange for Andreas to interview Viswanathan Anand, the current world chess champion and one of the chess legends slated to attend our jubilee events. In the piece, Anand speaks about a whole gamut of topics, ranging from the history of chess through the skills required by the chess player, to his World Championship Match against Topalov. Our hearty thanks, both to Andreas and In Focus, for agreeing to conduct this interview!
Interview conducted by Andreas Schiendorfer
Mr. Anand, the game of chess was invented in Asia many centuries ago. What role does chess play in Asia today, and specifically in its country of birth: India?
Viswanathan Anand: It is traditionally believed that chess came from India. We have instances of chess in our books on mythology. In fact, one of the most celebrated works on politics and war strategy published in 4 BC refers to Chaturanga or the 4 parts of a king's army. Chess travelled through Persia and then to Spain. In fact, in 2007, Time magazine had asked me to do an article on chess. I was fascinated to discover that many countries refer to chess in their historical texts. In May this year, I was invited to the Austrian national library in Vienna, where they have many great works on the topic.
Chess tournaments were dominated by Europeans – especially Russians - for many decades. You are in fact the first and only Asian world class chess player…
Anand: Chess has had a better geographical spread in the last few years. We have a Norwegian, Armenian, Ukrainian and Indian among the world class players. We see that more countries are being represented among the world’s best. Although Europe is still the hub of chess, China and India seem to be producing talented players. This effect will be seen in the next 5-10 years. Although Russia still dominates in the top player pool, other countries have started gaining ground.
Do their different cultural backgrounds influence the way a European, an American or an Asian person plays chess, for example?
Anand: Who you are determines how you play chess. People with different personalities exhibit that on the chess board. I tend to be very intuitive and fatalistic.
You are familiar with both European and Asian cultures. Is that an advantage?
Anand: I live in Chennai, India. Madrid is just a base for me while I am on the circuit. As a chess player, I have been very fortunate to travel to different countries. Each country teaches you something about a different culture. You see most chess players speak different languages and generally show a high knowledge of different cultures.
Compared to other sports such as cricket, (field) hockey, soccer or basketball, how important is your world championship title to the Indian people?
Anand: In 1987 India was struggling to get its First Grandmaster. In 2007 we had a world champion in every category except women. Chess has become a very important sport in the country. In the last six years I have been involved with the NIIT Mind Champions Academy. Here we aim to get chess into schools through a virtual platform. At present we are at 6,500 schools and reach 750,000 children. The aim is to take it to 1 million children in the next few years. Clearly having a World Champion in the game raises its profile.
You cannot walk down the streets in India without being recognized. What's great about being a famous star?
Anand: Well I enjoy it. Every time I am in India people come up and tell me that they followed my game. It's nice to be recognized and to know that what you do means a lot to many people.
One of Switzerland's great chess players is Lucas Brunner, who has an important position at Credit Suisse. Can one learn how to approach and solve difficult situations in the private economy by studying and learning from great chess players?
Anand: Clearly chess cultivates certain skills. Children who play chess tend to be better academically. Adults who play chess develop certain skills. In chess you have this ability to take a lot of data, organize it and take in the essential information. That's why chess players make good day traders, bankers and lawyers. Somehow we develop the nose to zero in for the kill.
So, what are the most important skills a chess player needs?
Anand: I think a chess player has to be curious and take in information very quickly. Some chess players tend to be good at mathematics, some at languages. Usually they are very interested in politics and economics. Most of the time, we are just normal people. But give us a board and 16 pieces and we change.
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| The Tiger from Madras |
You will be meeting up with legends from the 70s and 80s like Anatoli Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi. What does this encounter mean to you?Anand: Playing with legends of chess will be very special for me. Apart from the sporting angle, the event brings together different chess legends who stand for different things in our chess history, and this is very special. For once chess is the superstar under a galaxy of these stars.
Who were your role models when you were still the little boy who would one day decide to become a world class chess player?
Anand: I never really thought of myself as a chess player. At six you are only thinking about beating your rival. I really enjoyed playing blitz at my chess club and maybe this skill to play fast came from there. Today I am often asked if I ever thought I would become a world champion. I think at six all children want to be champions but it's only with age and experience that you realize how tough it is to get there and stay there.
Thinking of players such as Bobby Fischer, one could say that chess players are rather eccentric people. You, however, seem calm, considerate, friendly and moderate…
Anand: I would like to remember Bobby Fischer as the dashing champion from 1972. That moment defined chess for many of us. He was an icon of his times. It was sad that he had to go through some hard times. But his chess was something that gave joy to many of his fans, me included. I think chess players are a normal lot. This eccentric image is a wildly exaggerated one!
Conspicuous appearances can confuse an opponent. Aren't you psychologically disadvantaged by simply being the gentleman of the chess board?
Anand: I try to be who I am. I am not the type to don a different persona to play. In the end it is only good moves that win games. The rest is just added theater.
What do you think of the invention of chess computers?
Anand: The computer is a good sparring partner for a chess player. What we see today is that the computer has made information baggage a huge problem. We work more on each position and preparation tends to be at a very high level. So human traits like emotions and stamina make a very finite difference. You also see that tournaments have become more closely fought and a lot of very creative games are played.
Let's talk about Switzerland. You haven't played here very often. However, each time it has been in a major tournament – is that right?
Anand: Switzerland is a lovely country. I played there in Biel to qualify for the zonals in 1993. Some of my best games of my career have been played there, such as in Geneva in 1996 and Biel in 1997.
Do you also know Switzerland as a tourist?
Anand: I came to Switzerland in January this year when I was a speaker at Davos. So this will be my second visit this year.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time? Do you intend to work the board as long as Viktor Korchnoi, for example, or will you retire when young players such as Carlsen become stronger than you?
Anand: Carlsen and Aronian are definitely the next generation. I will play chess while I enjoy the tension and the challenge. I guess I will know from my chess when the time comes to give up.
Do you plan to stay in this field of sport, maybe as a trainer, an official, or even an expert journalist?
Anand: I don't think you should plan it, as it will happen quicker than you want it to. I see myself as a chess enthusiast, or maybe an astronomer. Then again, maybe I'll just have a nice time.
What are your next plans after the Zurich event? Will you start preparing for the world championship?
Anand: The world championship means a different kind of preparation. For Bonn I prepared for about 4 months. So I will work on something similar.
You'll be playing against Topalov at the Zurich Champions Rapid. What makes you so sure you will successfully defend your world championship title?
Anand: I think playing Topalov will be a tough challenge and I'll be working hard towards it.
On the In Focus site, this interview appears in four language versions.
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