Carlsen checks in for World Championship
Susan Ninan & Prasad Ramasubramanian, TNN | Nov 5, 2013, 05.07 AM IST
CHENNAI: It’s four days to go and the champions are here. While Viswanathan Anandavoided the media glare and checked into the Hyatt Regency, the venue of the World Championship bout from November 9, on Monday morning, the evening was all about his challenger Magnus Carlsen.
Carlsen was a picture of dazed bewilderment when he emerged from the arrival lounge of the city airport. Back from his two-week training in Oman, the world No. 1 had his entourage, comprising his family as well as his doctor and bodyguard in tow. The Norwegian seemed unprepared for the crowd. “I never expected such a reception. It is overwhelming and I am sure it’s going to be a great experience,” the 22-year old said.
While the world No. 1 looked a little tired, his parents and two siblings seemed to be soaking in the sights and sounds of a country that’s going to be their home for the next three weeks. “It has been humbling for us to see so many people wanting to catch a glimpse of Magnus,” hisfather Henrik said.
Carlsen was on his guard when asked about the nature of his preparation for his maiden title contest. “The preparations have been good, and it will all boil down to implementing the plans which are in place,” he said. In a bid to avoid the media, the family chose to drive off to Fisherman’s Cove, on East Coast road, from the airport. They will be spending a day or two at the resort before they check into the hotel.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
If I were playing a match at the Chennai Hyatt Regency, I would ask the Theosophical Society in Adyar, only 3 miles by car from the Hyatt, to put me up in a nice cozy room so that I could commune with the ghosts of Annie Besant and Jiddu Krishnamurti. And every day I could walk along the beach on the society grounds. What a prime piece of real estate!
Ah, yes. Fisherman’s Cove. A trendy, luxurious resort on another prime piece of real estate just off the East Coast Road south of Chennai.
My advice to Magnus for the next 2 days: watch out for the crocodiles.
Really.
Want to check out some pictures of where the Carlsen’s are staying before the move into the Hyatt?
Check out these pictures of Fisherman’s Cove:
http://www.tripadvisor.in/LocationPhotos-g2287353-d1191267-w3-Vivanta_by_Taj_Fisherman_s_Cove_Chennai-Covelong_Tamil_Nadu.html
Sorry. I can’t resist adding another comment. I’m so on edge waiting for the match, that my imagination is in serious danger of running amuck. High brain fever.
I wonder if Carlsen, among his other athletic activities, is a surfer? In that case he should check out Big Rock:
Big Rock [south of Chennai] is located off the point at Fisherman’s Cove. The point itself is the most consistent break in that area but when the wave height is there and the tide just right then a submerged rock shelf in the cove produces one really awesome left barrel.
The ride isn’t long but hang on for dear life because this wave gets as hollow as they come.
Undoubtedly, I’m going to be dreaming about Carlsen clashing with a Bengal tiger (Anand) in the waves tonight.