Love to checkmate Kramnik at home

MUMBAI: Stating that he would love to defend his world crown at home, chess ace Viswanathan Anand on Wednesday said he would not mind putting his title on line against Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik, who had helped him during his successful campaign last year.

“India now has a couple of months to arrange a bid for the World Championship. For me that would be very exciting. I would love to play in India. And to play a World Championship would be fantastic. If that happens that would be very good,” he said.

“But we won’t really know if the bid is won or not till the challenger is out. I really enjoyed playing in Hyderabad and would really love to play in India,” he added.

Anand said despite the withdrawal of Magnus Carlsen of Norway from the tournament, the field was very strong and Kramnik was the favourite to win.

“The field is still very strong even though Carlsen withdrew. Probably most people feel it would be Vladimir Kramnik. I generally agree, but you cannot rule out (Veselin) Topalov or (Aronian) Levon either,” he added.

The 41-year-old said despite Kramnik helping him in his title defense against Topalov last year, it would not be of much advantage to either of them as they have many tricks up their sleeves.

“Well it’s very funny. We have seen all sides of it. He was my opponent in 2008. He helped me in 2010 and if we meet in 2012 it’ll be some irony. It think we’ll find new ideas to play.

“Its not like we have run out of ideas to play because we have worked together. But I appreciate what he did for me. It was a very very nice gesture,” Anand said.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com