Vishy has Lost 6 kg, Swimming, Cycling, Training in Germany: Eric van Reem's Blog 'Mate in Chennai'

Here is the first post from Viswanathan Anand's team member Eric van Reem's chess blog 'Mate in Chennai'. 

On 16 October, an article was published in the Bad Sodener Zeitung, a weekly newspaper for the citizens (about 22.000) of the small town of Bad Soden. The town is known for its various springs, which contain carbonic acid gas and various iron oxides. The waters are used both internally and externally, and are widely exported. One of the most prominent citizens of this town and spa in Bad Soden is chess world champion Viswanathan Anand and in the weeky newspaper one page was reserved. Since this article is only available in German and the newspaper does not have an online edition, I will give you a brief summary, writes Reem. You can read the full summary at his first post on Mate in Chennai.

“He bought a season ticket for the swimming pool in Bad Soden and swam about 1000 meter per day. He would also run 10 km every day and he has also been spotted on a bicycle in the beautiful hills around Bad Soden. He lost about 6 kilos this summer. Most of the time, though, Anand prepared for the match in the Chess Tigers Training Center with his seconds.”

Anand's friend, manager and delegation leader in Chennai, Hans-Walter Schmitt is quoted: “This will be his toughest challenge. It is a battle of experience vs. youth”.

The text is written by Hans-Jürgen Biedermann, pictures (not credited!-idiots) were made by yours truly. I add the original pictures here. Click on the pictures for a larger view. Let me know if you want to use the pictures or need a high-res picture.

'Mate in Chennai' will give you inside information about the “First Match of the Century” between world chess champion Vishy Anand from India and his challenger Magnus Carlsen from Norway, writes Reem (left). 

Reem adds, "You will find tons of information about this match on the official match site and on numerous chess websites. In this blog I will try to give you some insight what’s going on behind the screens of a world chess championship. You will hardly find any chess diagrams here or analyses or anything. I want to show pictures of the match and of people who are involved. Pictures of the opening and closing ceremonies, pictures of the hotel, pictures of Chennai: I hope you will find some stuff here, that is not available on other websites."

"Last year I wrote a blog about the world championship in Moscow: Mate in Moscow. Originally, I only wanted to post a few pictures every now and then for family and friends back home, but the blog became quite successful in the chess world. So here is another blog! Enjoy!"About the author: Eric van Reem (1967), airliner, located near Frankfurt. Chesswriter and hobby photographer. Vice president of the Chess Tigers. Regular contributor to Schaakmagazine (NL), Schach Magazin 64 (D) , KARL (D) and other chess magazines like New in Chess. Chief editor of Computerschaak 2001-2010. Press officer Chess Classic Mainz 2001-2010.

This is his third world chess championship in the “A”-Team: Sofia 2010, Moscow 2012 and Chennai 2013.

- Getting fit to fight: World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen

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Each Match I Play is the Most Important One Yet: Viswanathan Anand on World Chess Match vs Carlsen

World Chess Championship 2013 interviews: The next few weeks are testing times for chess wizard Viswanathan Anand. For, he is busy getting himself ready - both mentally and physically - for his World Championship match against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen next month in Chennai.

In between all the hype around the match, Vishy, as he is called, made it a point to spend time with his family for Navaratri, a festival he loves. He gets talking to us on his upcoming match, inspirations and more.

How are you preparing yourself for the big clash against Carlsen? It's been months of preparation - both in terms of chess, and physical work. Now, it's the last mile. So, I'm just taking it easy and getting ready for the match. 

You were in Chennai recently for Golu celebrations. How did you spend your time? I enjoyed seeing Akhil (son) in his Indian attire at the golus. Navarathri is a beautiful time to be in Chennai. The daily visits, guests, healthy sundals and music... it's all so beautiful. Importantly, Navaratri is a family effort - arranging the dolls and planning the scenic backdrops that go into it. This year has been hectic due to visits to other golus, but it was mainly about Akhil. 

You must miss Aruna and Akhil a lot when you're away touring. How does Akhil react when you talk to him over the phone and when you're back home, how do you bond with him? We like playing together; there are lots pillow fights at home! He has this book - Happy Hippo Angry Duck - that we love reading together. The trick is to pretend that we are reading it for the first time every time. His favourite pastime now is counting; so, we count anything these days. And, of course, there's Tom and Jerry; while he cheers for Jerry, I support Tom. I love it when he wakes me up in the morning with my brush and says, "Brush teeth." 

In your career, how have you handled pressure, during and before a match? What are some things you do to ensure that it doesn't get to you? It's very difficult to keep a checklist because always, the one thing you don't want to think about will pop right into the head. I try to keep a cool face and for the rest, just rely on my game. 

How friendly are you with Carlsen? We are cordial with each other. 

In a previous interview, you mentioned that you rarely get time to watch movies, and that you last watched Rajinikanth's Sivaji... Well, I watched Kahaani and liked it a lot. I hope to watch The Lunchbox soon. But I have been watching classic Rajini films like Billa, etc... 

Finally, would you consider this as the most important match of your career, and why? Each match I play is the most important one yet.

-- Srinivasa Ramanujam/Times of India

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When World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand Played Cricket... and Supported Sachin Tendulkar!

Do you remember when World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand picked up the cricket bat, only to leave it? Thankfully, at that! It was for an advertisement video that you will like.




Hope you did not miss our complete post on how World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand is considered a dependable brand ambassador?

Meanwhile, these days, India is abuzz with the announcement of cricket star Sachin Tendulkar. The Little Master's final two Tests will clash with the World Chess Championship match between Viswanathan Anand and his Norwegian challenger Magnus Carlsen scheduled to be held in Chennai from November 7 to 28.

The first Test against the Caribbeans will be played in Kolkata from November 6 to 10 and the second - Tendulkar's 200th - will  be held in Mumbai from November 14 to 18.

Hopefully, a cricket fan himself, Viswanathan Anand won't be distracted from the cricket happenings as he plays chess against the World No. 1.

It was last year when Sachin Tendulkar was struggling with his form that he  received support from five-time World Chess Champion  Viswanathan Anand who urged him to continue playing as long as he wanted.

“Criticism is fine, but if you still like playing it’s crazy to stop for no reason. In sport there is no question that it favours young people in general. But I really want to play chess still,” the 43-year-old Anand had told reporters here at a promotional event.

“I am lucky to have the chance to play and I intend to use it. I imagine the same for him (Tendulkar),” India’s first Grandmaster (1988) said.

Terming 40 as just a number, Anand had said it’s funny when one is questioned about age.

“The first question people ask is when are you going to retire? And if both of you want to retire, can one of you retire... It’s a little bit funny. In my case, I don’t think there is any fundamental change from December 10, 2009 to December 11, 2010. But it seems to affect the way people see you,” Anand, who turned 43 on December 11, said.

The chess wizard clubbed Tendulkar, former India captain Sourav Ganguly, tennis veteran Leander Paes as three top icons he had seen.

“In general I have seen a lot of Leander Paes... I might have started a few years earlier but Sachin and I have been there for quite a long time. Sourav was there for quite a good part there as well. I think most of our careers we share together,” he said.

Asked whether age was a factor, he said, “I don’t think the number 40 has any particular significance with chess. In chess, you definitely get more time.”

“There is a certain wear and tear in physical sport.

There are sports like football and tennis, where people would be amazed if you continue beyond 32-33.”

However, Anand said he did not wish to play beyond 50.

“I think 50 is kind of a barrier. For me, I don’t expect to be playing top chess when I am 60. But still there are a few years left. In the meantime, I want to enjoy as much as possible.

But Anand said he would like to win as many world titles as possible.

“I have not fixed any number to it. It’s as many as they will let me in,” he had remarked with a smile.

-- Zainab Raza Undulusi (with inputs from PTI)

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