Anand shows his displeasure, hits out at Kasparov
Saturday, 02 June 2012 09:37
We have rarely seen Viswanathan Anand show his displeasure in public, but in a rare display of irritation, Viswanathan Anand, who won his fifth world title on Wednesday, hit out at chess great Garry Kasparov and other critics for suggesting that he lacked motivation, says a report in Hindustan Times.
“I think that this is the first time I have played a match where so many people seemed to have negative opinion about my play. And the thing is I do not think I lacked motivation,” Anand said about his clash with Boris Gelfand, whom he beat to win his fifth world title.
The 42-year-old Anand told a TV channel from Moscow that Kasparov “keeps talking about my age” but Gelfand was slightly older at 44. “(Not only Kasparov), there were many people also parroting what he was saying,” Anand said.
“He (Kasparov) keeps talking about my age but I could just as well say Boris is even slightly older. I think the problem is all the people who started out assuming that I was the heavy favourite in this match were reluctant to admit that their prognosis was wrong,” Anand said.
Anand added he never considered himself as the favourite and knew that Gelfand would be a tough opponent. “I never saw myself as the favourite… I knew Gelfand would be a very, very difficult opponent. And looking at his recent plays, I understood that this is how the match would go. And, so, I never felt I had to answer after every game ‘what was going wrong?’ because nothing was going wrong.
Source: http://www.indiansportsnews.com
There is no shame in not knowing how to play a better game, Anand. You did your best.
How was Anand “vindicated”? By winning a rapid game after accepting or offering several short draws in the regular games he indeed prove his critics right.
Even Nakamura said he would have played on in many positions that Anand had. Anand didn’t play on, he chose to end the game with a half point–indicating that he was more interested in not losing than in winning. He clearly was aiming for the rapid games.
With the exception of perhaps two games at most, none of these games will be studied or analysed in the decades to come. That in itself is enough to vindicate…his critics.
yeah previous WC started with a .5 point bonus which only Anand had the guts to do away with. BTW when did Garry talk good of a person in his life. if the 85 match was allowed to continue he would have been a also-ran
alas!! we need to see one more championship where anand will represent.
Is there any way to keep him out??
“How was Anand “vindicated”? By winning a rapid game after accepting or offering several short draws in the regular games he indeed prove his critics right.”
I’d like to see your own games and prove to us that you fought till the bitter end until each king faced each other. And since you did not have 1.5 million on the line and your pride at the highest echelons of chess… (heck even possibly at your subpar ratings)you would have nothing to prove because you achieved nothing.
Sure, have your engine and keep criticizing. In cerebral games or math or physics for example, people want answers and not fully immerse into the positions.
He fought Kramnik and Topalov brilliantly, yet people want to find ways to criticize aimlessly the World Champion. And Anand being Anand, replied diplomatically:
People won’t admit they are wrong.
Who said only one more championship? Atleast two more easily.
It must be quite something if Anand is managing to stay the champion inspite of “no motivation”, “being bored” etc.
In that case, I guess the others have even lesser motivation.
Yes, this match did not produce many of the kind of games that viewers would have liked to see, but there’s something that people who haven’t played (any sport) at the highest levels don’t understand…and that’s PRESSURE.
I’m sure if Anand and Gelfand were to play a few “exhibition” games with nothing at stake they’ll dish out some amazing games 🙂
Mr Anand can lash out all he likes…The truth is what we saw,,,and that speaks for itself.
Mike Magnan
agree, the next anand v. match will probably not be his last title defense because even if carlsen or aronian is the opponent, they will not have the experience necessary to win against anand, they will blow it. this match reminds me of ali and his ‘rope-a-dope’ tactic the philosophy of which was if you can’t win, don’t lose.
gelfand is a player who plays well above what his rating suggest. gelfand II is gonna be in top ten.. Only reason Anand never got whacked is that he avoided the overconfidence which the commentators exhibited..look who went back home smiling.