My reputation precedes me: Anand
Rakesh Rao
Online edition of India’s National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 26, 2007
His relentless pursuit to redefine excellence places him among top champions
NEW DELHI: The relentless pursuit to redefine excellence has placed Viswanathan Anand among the select global champions who have transcended the barriers deemed unreachable by the lesser mortals.
Anand has won every title in the classical version of chess on way to the World No. 1 spot. For some time now, he is busy reinforcing the belief that he is indeed the most successful rapid chess player ever. In fact, Anand’s expertise in the shortened version is beyond debate. Consistent
The chess world witnesses several mega rapid events every season. If you check out the role of honour, whether at Monaco, Leon, Mainz or Corsica, Anand’s consistency will stand out.
Once a ‘lightening kid’, Anand continues to shine the brightest in the rapid version, the success rate being monumental.
By winning the World rapid championship for a 10th time and all seven times at Mainz, Germany, Anand has surpassed himself. And what more, the chess world is eagerly looking forward for more.
“Every year I come to the event and think may be this year it won’t go so well and in the end, I understand that my worries were all irrational,” says Anand as he looks back at his journey so far at Mainz and shares his thoughts with The Hindu.
Anand first played in the event held in Frankfurt in 1994, won four-player event in 1997 ahead of Anatoly Karpov, regained the title in 1998 by beating Vladimir Kramnik in another four-player field. But it was the triumph in 2000 when Anand won with a round to spare ahead of Gary Kasparov, Kramnik and Peter Leko among others in an eight-man field that Anand recalls with added pleasure. Remarkable event
“The most remarkable event was of course the tournament in 2000 when I finished ahead by a point. The most entertaining match was the one against Judit (Polgar) where we played eight decisive games (in 2003). I would lose Game one and win Game two on the first three days,” remembered the champion who has virtually owned the title since the event moved to Mainz in 2001.
Here is the full story.
Go Vishy!
“Anand has won every title in the classical version of chess on way to the World No. 1 spot.”
Every title in the classical version of chess except the one that matters: the classical world title.
What an odd thing for this guy to write. Since when does Vishy’s resume need any padding?
What an odd thing for this guy to write. Since when does Vishy’s resume need any padding?
In this article, “classical” refers to games at standard time control.
Explaining the title split would be off-topic for an article on blitz chess.