Anand: I am pretty much self-made

I am pretty much self-made: Viswanathan Anand

Vijay Tagore

Monday, July 26, 2010 0:45 IST



Viswanathan Anand tells DNA that there is no other secret than staying focused to become a world champion.

What does it take to be a world champion?

I think you should make things simple for your game. If you are not constantly fascinated by it, it’s very difficult to get the motivation necessary. And I think that’s the main thing.

And what does it take to defend it?

The same thing. In fact defending sometimes is more difficult because having achieved it the previous time, you are still reliving that. I think it’s important to move on, to get the next match in your sight and be willing to experiment.

Which is more difficult?

I don’t know. I would say that defending is more difficult. That was my experience as well. The first time I won the title I lost it very fast. But maybe I was aware of that the second time.

How difficult is it to become a world champion being an Indian?

I don’t think nationality has much to do with it.

Are there any inherent difficulties to become a world champion from India?

I don’t think so. In those days, the Soviets had the best training methods. But once I got my chance I started working with the right people. People like Gurevich, Yusupov and Ubilava. And then I think I was able to catch up with their techniques. So the main thing is being ready to learn. Like I told you in the beginning, chess has to excite you.

Is it easy for a young chess player to be a world champion today because they have a role model in you?

Well, very few people become world champions. So I think it’s not necessarily easy or more difficult. If you imagine everybody in the world, the most talented chess players in the world are competing for this, then, you can imagine how difficult it is. And I think that’s always going to be the case.

Do you think another Indian can become a world champion anytime soon?

Well, I try not to see beyond myself. So right now I am focused on remaining the world champion. I will take it from there. But there are a lot of talented chess players here. I think definitely we have the potential.

How do you look at your own fate? Were you a product of your own efforts or the Indian sporting system?

I think I was pretty much self-made. I had a lot of help from my parents, from my wife and all that. I don’t really see myself as a product of any system.

What is it that Indian sports system lacks to produce a world champion?

I don’t know. It’s very difficult to talk about every sport and generalise. I think the main thing is that sports persons must stay very focused on their goal. Must not allow themselves to be easily distracted. If you want to become the world champion, it’s something you have to be very focused on.

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