My priority is to regain the No. 1 spot, says Anand
LOKENDRA PRATAP SAHI
Calcutta: Thursday was one of the busiest days for world champion Viswanathan Anand. Late in the evening, after a string of commitments which had to be honoured, the chess badshah briefly spoke to The Telegraph (for the second time, in fact) from Bonn.
The following are excerpts
Significance of the triple
It’s another milestone for me… I defeated a big-match player (Vladimir Kramnik) and that’s cause for much satisfaction… What’s also pleasing is that I could defend my title and, so, will be the world champion for more than just a year. … In the larger context, our juniors have been doing very well, but my win could still be a shot in the arm for chess back in India… Feels good, really.
Whether there’s a next level
(Laughs) I’m sure there is… I remain very excited about the sport and like to try out new things… Discover something new… I made some changes in my game this year and I’m happy they clicked. As for the future, let’s see.
If anything remains unfulfilled
Don’t know… (Pauses) As I’ve said, I remain very excited about chess… I’m sure there will be things to achieve… A priority, of course, is to regain my world No.1 ranking (a position currently held by Bulgaria’s Veselin Topalov)…
On the ‘tussle’ between him and shooter Abhinav Bindra for the label of the greatest Indian sportsman
Surely, you don’t expect me to get into this! I’m very happy for Abhinav, happy that years of hard work paid off in Beijing.
Bindra’s achievement
Oh, I was thrilled when Abhinav fired that gold in Beijing… I kept track of the days immediately afterwards too and followed his return home as well.
[Anand, by the way, will be in India “within a fortnight.”]
Staying so cool and whether the turmoil, if at all, is wholly within
(Laughs) Look, if I’ve fooled people, then I’m happy!
The ideal way to handle pressure and expectations
It’s best to remain focused on the job and not get distracted… I managed to do that very well in Bonn. Once the focus is there, other things usually fall into place.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/
Then Vishy has to be ready for Topalov and Magnus.