Anand excited about playing in front of home crowd
Posted on 13th July 2011
Chennai, July 13 (IANS) Viswanathan Anand is obviously excited at the prospects of playing a World Championship title match in his home town here next year when he faces challenger Boris Gelfand, Grandmaster from Israel who is currently 12 in World rankings.
‘I have been looking to play the match in Chennai. It is nice that Chennai is hosting a World Championship match,’ said Grandmaster Anand Wednesday after Tamil Nadu government offered support for the 12-match series in April-May next year.
‘Obviously, it is an individual’s responsibility and once I start planning and training, I need to be focused to play Boris Gelfand,’ said Anand, who last played a World Championship match here in 1991 when he defeated Alexey Dreev 5-4 in a Candidates tournament quarter-final.
Anand, who beat Vaselin Topalov of Bulgaria in 2010 to claim the World title, said he would soon begin his preparations for the next year’s match.
‘Once the FIDE (World Chess Federation) announces the schedule and timing of matches, I will start planning. As I said, I am really thrilled to be playing in Chennai. I will have to work extremely hard. It is going to be tough,’ he said.
Earlier in the day, FIDE president Kirsan Illyumzhinov along with some Indian chess officials met Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa who assured the delegation of Tamil Nadu government support in hosting the event that is estimated to cost Rs 20 Crores.
‘I express my grateful feelings to Madam Chief Minister for her decision to have the match in Chennai. I look forward eagerly to play here. It will be a fantastic experience. It is a very tough match,’ said Anand.
A FIDE press release said: ‘Her Excellency Jayalalithaa responded affirmatively and considered the offer (of hosting the title match) of the World Chess Federation as an excellent opportunity to put Chennai at the centre of world attention. She subsequently instructed her Chief Secretary to finalise the offer to FIDE and the AICF (All-India Chess Federation).
Source: http://www.inewsone.com
We’ll be watching the games at 3 in the morning again }:-(
I would rather watch it at 3 in the morning than have it during work hours in the U.S. when it is tough even to follow the games let alone analyze.
Am I the only one who hates the idea of a world champion getting to defend his title at home? It’s not like the champ doesn’t have enough advantages already.
Plus, with all due respect to India, it’s not a place for challengers who are used to cold weather. I’ve been to Chennai and the only climate comfort Gelfand will have will be in his hotel. Gelfand might as well be forced to give Anand rook odds as well.
I have no dog in this hunt and no preference as to who wins, but I can’t imagine circumstances less fair to Gelfand.
Hi Susan Polgar,
We in Chennai,very well understand you all guys,hard feelings about the hot weather at Chennai,it may be sweat full for those who aren’t used to it but the venue and the boarding will remain the coolest as preferred by you guys,so need no worry for brainy heads.
Above all our warmth & cordiality may lead the players to forget the hot weather – Cool. [ If at all the Chennai venue is finalized ]
Anand & Gelfand are brainy heads weather won’t shake them – be it cool or hot.
Wherever its being played, Anand has leading edge – Both are great players – can expect chess feast.
By
Venky [ India – Chennai ]