I have kept quiet (about Kasparov) for a reason, I don’t want to say anything

Kasparov not attract high marks from elite players vis-a-vis his administrative skills

Can’t neglect the shorter formats in chess: Anand
Amit Karmarkar,TNN | May 30, 2014, 07.05 PM IST

PUNE: Former world chess champion V Anand has backed shorter versions of the 64-square game by pointing out their virtues.

“In chess, rapid and blitz are default tiebreak options and you can never neglect them completely,” said Anand who was in the city on a promotional visit for the second Maharashtra Chess League, scheduled at PYC Hindu Gymkhana from June 11 to 15.

The players’ auction is on Friday.

Anand said: “Though the slower format is played in competitions, almost all the players there come through playing a lot of blitz (5 minutes per player) and rapid (25/30 mins per player). It’s good for training. It is good to play more games in a day than one game a day which requires high concentration. I don’t think rapid is harmful. It’s more spectators friendly.”

Anand will play the World rapid and blitz championships in Dubai from June 15 to 21. The MCL will also be played over rapid format.

Anand also said the club/league/franchise culture needed to be given time to get established in India and that one can’t compare club loyalties and more systematic approach with Europe.

The 44-year-old refused to talk much on his World title rematch against reigning champion Magnus Carlsen not receiving a bid.

On Carlsen’s mind-boggling plus-23 score (difference between wins and defeats) in classical chess since January 2013, he said: “Very impressive … nothing much to say about that. It was impressive last year and it keeps going up. I have to find some way to match when playing against him. Going by Khanty (Candidates success), I feel optimistic and positive.”

On whether older players tend to focus on ‘not losing’ instead of winning, Anand said: “I have no idea. I just feel that I had a difficult phase. For no particular reason, I did well in Candidates … and now I feel optimistic again.”

Anand gave glimpses of his endearing personality when he obliged the kids with a Q&A session with all seriousness.

He also managed to squeeze in a tiny ‘workshop’ for chess parents. He told them to “relax a bit”, saying five-six hours of practice in a day in most cases was not necessary.

“Results should not stop them (children) from enjoying,” he said reminding a refined quote from his father, who had said “we backed Anand because he loved the sport.”

On dealing with increasing coaching expenses for the sport, Anand said: “If parents feel that coaching is valuable, then it can kind of get into an arms’ race. When parents feel it could be useful even without any evidence to base it on, then it’s peer pressure.

“No parent wants to handicap their kid. But I believe coaching is best in moderation. The best way of learning is still practising a lot. Without diminishing the coaches, coaching works when you have many examples to show.

“Youngsters are taking the game far too seriously and at far too early an age. They are getting too competitive … that’s the age to have fun. I would advice parents not to be too obsessive about coaching.”

Anand mum on Kasparov’s bid

Anand has distanced himself from Garry Kaspaorv’s decision to contest for the post of Fide president in the August elections of chess’ world governing body.

“(I have kept quiet) for a reason. I don’t want to say anything,” said the Indian, who knows Kasparov since 1990s.

It’s clear that the Russian legend, who dominated the game for 20 years, may not attract high marks from elite players vis-a-vis his administrative skills.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com