This Anand vs Carlsen: It's Breaking my Heart... Friends Once, Now One of them has to Kill (Chess Fan Forum)

CHESS FAN FORUM: 

The excitement of the Carlsen versus Anand World Chess Championship has suddenly given way to dread. What happened to the excitement? 

Suddenly, the thought of either Viswanathan Anand or Magnus Carlsen losing is unbearable. It's breaking my heart. 

One is ice, the other is fire. One holds chess traditions aloft and the other brings hope of glorious human achievements even in the face of onslaught by machines. I cannot imagine either losing.

If Anand loses the title, I will spend the night tossing and many painful nights after that as well. If Carlsen loses, the charm of the chess adventure will lose its sparkle... for a while at least. 

Friends once... (Photo: Chessvibes

Is that because I belong neither to Norway or India? Would it be easier otherwise? Did chess fans ever find it so difficult to take sides? But this could not be about nationalities, or cold wars, or even about like-ability and definitely this cannot be just about comparing Anand and Carlsen's chess talent. So, whom do you support? How do you choose? There are no blacks and whites between Anand and Carlsen, just both in the same shades of grey.

The online polls (on this site and around the world) consistently peg Carlsen as the would-be winner. The only time Anand led in the poll was when Carlsen drew his games with Hikaru Nakamura at the Sinquefield Chess Cup. The poll curve bounced right back in Carlsen's favour once the World No. 1 wrapped off the title win in Saint Louis. Some Grandmasters do feel Anand could win, but this number is pretty small.   

... and now, one of them has to kill

Suddenly, everything feels so sadistic... like gladiators in violent confrontations entertaining a Roman audience?

My friends tell me it's no big deal. This happens in sports all the time. Someone has to win, someone has to lose. They wouldn't know. This is not sport. This is chess. 

Some say, Anand had his chances. He became a draw-ts world champion, so it should be Carlsen. Some say, Carlsen knows no opening theory, he trivialises chess, so Anand should retain the title. Some say Carlsen will save chess from dying. Others say, Anand should win one more time...   

Anand and Carlsen are friendly with each other. In this rivalry, they have come even closer... and, it's breaking my heart. 




It's sadistic. Like Orson Scott Card in Ender's Game:

In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.And then, in that very moment when i love them... I destroy them...

Or, maybe it is not sadistic...

Like a Wiki description would say: Irrespective of their origin, gladiators offered spectators an example of Rome's martial ethics and, in fighting or dying well, they could inspire admiration and popular acclaim. 

Salute to two of the finest chess gladiators of our times - Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen. In fighting or losing well, they will both inspire chess lovers' admiration for all time to come.

- A Chess Fan

(Send us your take as a chess fan on the Carlsen versus Anand World Chess Championship 2013 to editor@blackandwhiteindia.com. You could send us cartoons, videos, or write-up, or even images. Don't forget to mention what link you want to add with your name whether it's your twitter account, FB page or even your email id.) 


P.S. Lyrics Breaking my Heart

I'm on the floor
Counting one minute more
Noone to break the silence

Staring into the night
All alone but that's alright
It's the feeling deep inside I don't like

Chorus:
There is no excuse my friend
For breaking my heart
Breaking my heart again
This is where our journey ends
Your breaking my heart again

Here in my bed
Counting the words you've said
They linger in the shadows

Coming home late at night
Drunk again but that's alright
It's the look in your eyes I don't like

Chorus:
There is no excuse my friend
For breaking my heart
Breaking my heart again...

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World Chess Championship 2013: It's Anand's Experience vs Carlsen's Dynamism: Indian GMs

New Delhi: It would be a battle between Viswanathan Anand`s wealth of experience and Magnus Carlsen`s ability to play in any position when the two greats of the game face-off in the much-anticipated World Chess Championship beginning this month, feel a majority of Indian Grandmasters.

Anand`s strength lie in his experience of playing against top class opponents like Anatoly Karpov, Boris Gelfand, Vladimir Kramnik and Veselin Topalov and his rigorous pre-event preparation.

Carlsen, on the other hand, relies on his never-say-die attitude even in losing positions, putting his opponents under pressure, making them commit mistakes, and play different sidelines each time, explained the GMs.

"Anand is a great player. His understanding of game is very high and he has a much better tactical framework. It would be difficult for Carlsen to caught Vishy off-guard with so much experience behind him. The World Championship will see the best of Vishy coming out. My point is don`t give Carlsen initial leads and that will make him frustrating," World`s second-ever youngest GM Parimarjan Negi said.

"Magnus is young but Anand has more experience. Magnus has won more tournaments but Anand has more match experience. I think it will be one of the toughest matches for Anand.

"Magnus is in excellent shape and his biggest advantage is he can play in any kind of position. His fighting spirit, tactical endgame to break down his opponents, play different sidelines adds to his class," added Negi.

Given the statistics, Anand holds the advantage. The two have played 29 games so far in the Classical format with Anand winning six and Carlsen clinching three while the remaining 20 ending in draws.

The November 9 to 28 match can be best described by a famous line will be a 12-game tussle in Chennai.

Carlsen has broken all records, scaled one peak after the other like no one else and won almost everything except the World championship at a young age of just 22 years.

Another Grand Master Sriram Jha said Anand has won the last three titles, beating players like Vladimir Kramnik, Vaselin Topalov and Boris Gelfand, and surely knows how to stay on top.

"I am rooting for Anand. He will be my favourite because of his experience in match play. Anand is a five-time world champion and his record gives him an edge over Carlsen, who does not have a World Championship experience," said Jha.

"Anand is brilliant in openings; he uses the machines very well. On the other hand, Carlsen does not believe too much in the opening theory. His strength lies in endgames, unpredictability, and tiring out opposition," he added.

Many Indian GMs would not accept it but they know that the Norwegian holds a slight edge over Anand, given his stupendous form and ELO ratings of 2870, the highest ever in the history.

Former World Junior Champion Abhijeet Gupta said, "The match would be an intense one. Anand has the experience but Carlsen is enjoying a great success at the moment."

Carlsen qualified to challenge Anand for the World Championship crown after winning the FIDE Candidates` Tournament in London in April.

The match in Chennai gives Anand the home advantage that the Indian has never enjoyed before in a match of such magnitude but it could also act as a deterrent for him given the weight of expectation.

"Anand will be under pressure playing in Chennai. He should try not to feel like he is playing in his hometown. His all five championships (Tehran (2000), Mexico (2007), Bonn (2008), Sofia (2010) and Moscow (2012) took place outside the country. He is better of playing abroad. He should think like he is not playing in India but abroad," said Jha.

There is a huge gap between ratings (95) of the two players but most of the top players were hardly intimidated by the difference.

"It does not make much of a difference," said Negi. "In the end, it all boils down to the match day and how you perform on that particular day."

"Vishy was regarded as the fastest chess player on the planet, a well-adapted champion during his prime in 90s and early 2000, he needs to revisit those old days against Carlsen. We all know at 43, he is not getting any younger, but he has to read into his opponent`s mind.

"He needs to be much more fearless and aggressive; like he has been always. The role of the seconds would be very important," he added.

Carlsen had said in London after winning the Candidates` meet that "the difference is, I am winning tournaments and Anand is holding on to the title".

His confidence stemmed from the fact that he has been World Number one for 21 consecutive rating lists, he has won their last two encounters, most importantly the recent Taj Memorial, and the ratings difference.

"Last few years, Carlsen has been absolutely dominating, winning every tournament. He just crushes his opponent by building so much pressure on him.

"On the other hand, Anand has not been performing well in recent tournaments, not winning too many championships off late but his experience of five World Championship titles will give him the required confidence," said Negi.

"Anand should win it for India. He should win it for his millions of fans. The victory would lead him to the pinnacle of his career and cement his place among the legends," said Jha.

There are few things Carlsen would be wary of apart from Chess -- adjusting to the climate, unfamiliar local cuisine and the pressure of the occasion. -- PTI

(Press Trust of India (PTI) is the largest news agency in India. It is headquartered in Delhi and is a nonprofit cooperative among more than 450 Indian newspapers and has a staff of about 2,000 writers spread 150 offices nationwide.)

* Official website of the World Chess Championship 2013 

* All other posts on Grandmaster opinions from around the world

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GM Sergey Karjakin: Of course Anand has the Chance to Win World Chess Championship vs Carlsen!

World Chess Championship 2013 GM interview: In an interview with Russian news agency Itar-Tass, GM Sergey Karjakin had spoken about Viswanathan Anand's chances of retaining his World Chess title. Karjakin spoke about his chess, career, and sweetheart. One of the questions was about the Carlsen vs Anand World Championship in Chennai: 

- Many people believe that Anand is doomed to lose in the upcoming World Chess Championship match against Magnus Carlsen. What do you think? What is the reason for the World Chess Champion's weaker form lately? 

Karjakin: Perhaps, this is due to age - hard to stay number one for a long time. Maybe decreased motivation. Previously, he (Anand) was fighting to simply get to super-tournaments, now he receives an appearance fee. It seems to me that the situation would have been different if the tournaments involved prize money only. But, Anand's chance to win against Magnus Carlsen: Of course there is! It is important to note that the Norwegian, for all his talent, has never played a match. He (Carlsen) was just one step away from missing this match (World Chess Championship) at the London Chess Candidates tournament in the final round. He showed that he had not learned to win the decisive game."

In existence since 1904, Itar-Tass, from Russia, is one of the world's largest news agencies.

For all the GM opinions on the chances of either player in the Carlsen vs Anand World Chess Championship Match 2013 at our site, check these chess posts. More opinions soon enough.

B&W Team Note: Yes, may we now hear the Indian chess fans applauding with glee?

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Two Indian Legends: World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar

World Chess Champion Viswanathan Update: Here's a cool article for Indian sports lovers on two legends: World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand and Master Blaster Sachin Tendulakar by Valsala Menon via DNA India:

Champion stuff from Sachin Tendulkar and Viswanathan Anand

Sachin Tendulkar and Viswanathan Anand during a rare meeting between the two legends in Mumbai in 2001. - Reuters

There is so much in common between the careers of Viswanathan Anand and Sachin Tendulkar, India’s best sportsmen in the last 50 years. Both are 40-plus. Both are still performing. And both have made significant adjustments to their game/technique at different points in time.

Coincidentally, both were impetuous and aggressive when they started out. They just wanted to destroy the opposition. If Tendulkar took on the world at 16, Anand was consuming foreign Grandmasters with super-fast moves when he was 18.

Interestingly, both have had admirably long careers. Grandmaster RB Ramesh says it is difficult to prolong one’s career in a physical sport (cricket) and, in that sense, Tendulkar deserves a lot of praise. But he is quick to add that cricket is a team game and so Tendulkar did get support from his mates.

Ramesh, by his own admission, took to chess accidentally. He wanted to be a cricketer. His brother, GB Prakash, was already a good junior chess player. A head injury at the age of 11 forced him to give up cricket. “You see, as school students, we were always looking for idols. We had Viswanathan Anand in 1988 and Tendulkar in 1989,” says Ramesh.

Ramesh adds Anand and Tendulkar have always been exceptionally motivated. “When we thought Tendulkar was going to suffer after his injury in the mid-2000s, he came back and changed his aggressive style to start a new innings,” says Ramesh.

The tennis elbow prompted Tendulkar to curtail his stroke-play, but the master that he is, Tendulkar overcame the hurdle, adopted a different approach and scored runs in tons in both forms of cricket. In fact, he fared better after that injury.

The free-flowing strokes gave way to the more productive and practical accumulation of runs with less spectacular flicks and nudges. His appetite for runs increased in the second half of his career, and he played on for well over two decades.

Remarkably, Anand showed the same appetite in his mid-30s. Having won his first world title in 2000 at 31, Anand did not have any special targets because of the uncertainties in world chess.

Garry Kasparov had just lost to Vladimir Kramnik in a rival world championship and there was no unified competition. Anand was winning tournaments like before, but had to live with the criticism that he had not beaten the strong players of his generation in a long match.

And by the time the unification took place in 2007, he was already 38. And with a second world title under his belt, Anand was ready for his next challenge. This is when he, like Tendulkar, showed admirable motivation. He thought he had to stop wagging tongues. He worked hard with a team that was to stay with him for five years. Vladimir Kramnik, Veselin Topalov and Boris Gelfand, all disappeared into history as Anand made light of his age.

It was really a challenge for Anand to get used to the intricacies of match play. He was no longer the quick, rapid-play master he was in the 1990s and early 2000s. He took all his time to find moves over the board and a became totally different player altogether.

Arvind Aaron, who had played with Anand at the junior level and travelled with him extensively, finds a rare ability in both the chess champion and the cricket maestro. “Both of them are not tired of trying new things,” says Aaron.

“It may be a shot in Tendulkar’s repertoire. In Anand’s case, I have first-hand experience because when he accepted a challenge to play six computers in a simultaneous exhibition in 1997 in The Hague, I asked him why he took up such a dangerous task. He said he liked to look at things differently and wanted different challenges,” Aaron adds.

Deep Blue had just beaten Kasparov and Aaron’s concern was that Anand was facing a six-pack computer. As it turned out, Anand won three of them and drew three, winning the match 4.5-1.5.

“I watched that match and the most interesting aspect was that Anand was sipping coffee regularly while the machines were thinking. It was a funny sight,” Aaron recounts.

One of the oft-quoted comments of both Tendulkar and Anand is, “I would continue to play as long as I enjoy the game.” Tendulkar will no longer play competitive cricket after November 18, but Anand will probably continue to play on, looking for more challenges.

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Magnus Carlsen will Spend World Chess Championship Rest Days at Luxurious Spa Resort

In an exclusive story, NRK Sports has quoted World Chess Championship Challenger's manager Espen Agdestein on where Magnus Carlsen would spend the rest days during the World Title Match. However, Agdestein has not revealed the secret location the chess prodigy is training at present. 

The World Chess Championship schedule includes a rest day after every two games. The main match takes place at the Hyatt Regency in Chennai. On the rest days, to take a break, Magnus Carlsen will commute to a spa resort a short distance away where he would be able to swim, play beach volleyball and tennis or just relax. There are two luxury hotels near Chennai. Meanwhile, even as Carlsen trains at a secret location, on being prodded by NRK Sport whether Carlsen would stay at the Fisherman's Cove on the rest days during the World Chess Championship, Agdestein said the location is a secret. 

During the World Chess Championship stay, Agdestein believes it is crucial that Carlsen has a place to go to escape the chaos surrounding the World Chess Championship in India. "To stay in a place for three and a half weeks is a long time, although it is a very nice place. Playing venue is also in the same place, and there is some limited hiking and sports around the hotel. It was one of the things we found on the inspection tour," said Agdestein.

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World Chess Championship Challenger Magnus Carlsen to model for G-Star Second Time: Spring, Summer 2014

Clothing giant G-Star has taken on chess world's poster boy Magnus Carlsen for the second time - a first for the company! A press release states Magnus Carlsen will model for G-Star RAW for their Spring and Summer 2014 collection. 

The World Chess Championship Challenger first modeled for G-Star in 2010 with a highly popular and successful campaign alongside international model Liv Tyler. 

Magnus Carlsen's new images for the G-Star 2014 campaign of the chess player will be out in February, according to the press release.

"This is spectacular. Magnus is called a "campaign model" for 2014. This is the first time they have taken on a model twice," Magnus Carlsen's manager Espen Agdestein was quoted as saying. 

A G-Star site update states: Magnus Carlsen returns for his second collaboration with G-Star in the new campaign, again he represents the young insurgent of chess. Famous for his confident and unpredictable style of play, he embodies the spirit of unconventional thinking. 

Magnus will play in the World Chess Championship against the title-holder Viswanathan Anand in Chennai, India from 7th - 28th November 2013. 

* MagnusChess - the company

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World Chess Championship Carlsen vs Anand: Magnus' Dad Blogs: 'Road to Chennai 2013 - Early Development'

Jor-El: You will travel far, my little Kal-El

(Photo: Chessbase Quote: Superman Returns, 2013)

Magnus Carlsen with father Henrik ahead of the Arctic Chess Challenge in August, 2007.

Magnus Carlsen`s Blog

The road to Chennai 2013 – Early development

What did it take for a Norwegian to reach a match for the World Championship title? In addition to a talent for and deep interest in chess, I think it was important to get possibilities and encouragement on the way. Support from family, friends, trainers and sponsors are helpful in providing the necessary possibilities. 

Encouragement came through results and also support from various people. During the Norwegian youth team championship in 2000, a strong junior player was asked for the result by a friend after one of the rounds, and he responded with self deprecating irony something like: “Well, I played a 9-yr old as white and was a piece up by move 5…”. His friend had drawn his conclusions by the time he added: “And I lost”. Magnus’s piece sacrifice was not theoretically correct but highly enjoyable for the spectators and certainly encouraging for people around him. 

For Magnus personally, the last round draw against the strongest Norwegian U16 player Tallaksen was maybe even more gratifying. By this time Magnus had already had a couple of valuable sessions each month for half a year with Torbjorn Ringdal Hansen (Simen Agdestein’s assistant) at the Top Athletes School Chess group. In Norway children participation in sports competitions is restricted in general. 

A sponsoring agreement has been agreed between Arctic Securities and Magnus Carlsen. Magnus became an International Grandmaster at the age of 13, the youngest at the time. In October 2009, during the Nanjing Pearl Spring tournament, he became the fifth chess player in the history to achieve an Elo-rating over 2800 – by far the youngest to do so. That year he also became The World Blitz Chess Champion. On January the 1st of 2010 the new FIDE list was published and at the age of 19 Magnus became the youngest ever chess player to be ranked World Number One. Carlsen is the best representative for top excellence within both analysis and implementation.

In chess the practices have varied, and when Magnus was 11 back in 2002 he was allowed to participate in the European and World Youth U12. This represented a first opportunity to fight with the best peers in the world (except for Karjakin who was already a GM and did not participate any longer). In the European U12 Championship the Russian child stars Nepomniachtchi and Andreikin dominated as usual, while in the World Youth U12 Magnus was already catching up and came 2nd on tiebreak after the winner Ian Nepomniachtchi. 

By this time, Simen Agdestein himself had already been the trainer of Magnus for about a year, and a little later Computas became his first sponsor for 6 months. In January 2003 another event was staged by Hans Olav Lahlum at the traditional chess site of Gausdal amidst inspiring mountains with downhill and cross country skiing tracks. 

Magnus needed a last round win against his somewhat older adversary and friend IM Bluvshtein from Canada, and surprised many by achieving the necessary victory after a good game and a hard fight. The international break-through securing a GM-norm and winning the Corus C-group in 2004 is well known to many, and less emphasis is put on the huge number of tournaments Magnus played in the autumn of 2003 during a family sabbatical year, that prepared him for the progress seen in 2004. 

By this time, Microsoft Norway was sponsoring Magnus and facilitating his participation in tournaments every month. Prior to our sabbatical, Simen Agdestein and other Norwegians had been very optimistic about the prospects of Magnus as a chess player, and during the 1st half of 2004 a number of strong players and international chess journalists showered praise on the young Norwegian providing encouragement for both Magnus himself and people around him. 

(To be continued. For Team Carlsen, 

Henrik C., October 29th, 2013)

2013-10-29 15:16:11

* The Carlsen Chess Story: GM Simen Agdestein tells it all from up Close

* Carlsen got Kasparov's Database of 20 Years' Work

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GM Parimarjan Negi's Almost-Believable Fun Take on Anand - Carlsen World Chess Championship 2013

Anand-Carlsen for Dummies
by GM Parimarjan Negi
via the talented chess champion's blog

 http://parimarjan.in/
(Warning: This is satire. Do NOT take any of this literally.) 

Disappointing most of the world, and both the players, Chennai managed to clinch the 2013 World Championship by bidding a million dollars less than Paris .Justifying the decision, a FIDE spokesperson explained that money is not the only important issue to consider when awarding such prestigious events. “Paris was too mainstream and chic, we had to keep with the tradition of venues like Libya, Khanty Mansyisk, Tromso etc. After all we are the guardians of the international image of chess – we can’t let it be changed just because one player is getting too popular”.

After a lot of persuasion from his managers, this popular guy, Magnus Carlsen, decided to keep his opinions on the venue to himself. Instead he has been trying to (unsuccessfully) find a place to play football in Chennai.

Vishy on the other has been smiling through his teeth as he thanks the organisers to bring the match home. Away from the camera he wonders why the AICF (All India Chess federation) has suddenly decided to do something for him after three decades. Couldn’t they wait a bit longer to become active?

Anyway, it’s all about winning the match as the stakes have never before been this high. While Vishy only has the rest of his career to lose, Magnus has his next multi million dollar modelling assignment at stake. Also winning the match might finally give him some time to get a girlfriend.

So in preparation, as everyone knows by now Carlsen has been working on his hypnotic skills – besides his usual methods of staring at the opponent’s eyes or appearing to be asleep, he has also prepared some brand new methods of mind control.

Magnus testing his new hypnotic methods in Poker

Rest of the time, Magnus has been telling his seconds how weak they play, shooting off brilliant fb comments, or just tweeting new pictures obviously aimed at a potential endorsement deal.

He has also asked Garry Kasparov for the secret of scaring Anand. Despite his extremely packed schedule of posing for photographs, signing autographs, and writing lengthy fb updates, Garry has taken time to explain his favourite hobby of the 1990′s to Magnus.

But Anand has not been idle either. Ever since Victor Korchnoi revealed the secret of Carlsen’s sucess, Vishy has been trying to find an antidote to this hypnotic scare. His camp refused to comment whether they were considering using highly trained Indian Sadhus to deal with these mind games – a technique used by Korchnoi himself in one of his matches against Karpov.

But sources confirmed that after Nakamura’s amazing success at dealing with the Magnus stare using Ray Ban, Vishy has been considering sponsorship deals with various eye-wear companies.

While, for dealing with the Garry pressure, Vishy has decided to build a Rajni wall around him. Every re-watch of a Rajnikanth movie adds a new layer of unbreakable psychological aura around him.

And speaking of movies, he has also been inspired by the Bollywoods 40+ makeovers – and has been building his own six packs to set up the perfect masala climax with the scowling Carlsen.

PS: All details in this piece are created with my (GM Parimarjan Negi) imagination, it’s uncanny similarity to reality is of course just co-incidental.

Read also:

GM Parimarjan Negi on Carlsen's chances at World Chess Championship 2013 

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A National Movement by NIIT Takes Off Ahead of the World Chess Championship!

NEW DELHI, October 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

- A unique initiative to enable every Indian to cheer for Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand as he fights to defend the crown for India at the World Chess Championship, 2013 in Chennai -

NIIT Limited, leading Global Talent Development Corporation and Asia's largest IT trainer, today unveiled#Wish4Vishy http://www.wish4vishy.com - a national movement to enable every Indian to cheer for reigning World Chess Champion and NIIT MindChampion Viswanathan (Vishy) Anand, as he prepares to take on challenger world number oneMagnus Carlsen, at the World Chess Championship 2013, to be held between November 7 - 28, 2013 in Chennai.

In his glorious career spanning over 25 years Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand has taken Indian chess to great heights. Born in Chennai, Anand is acclaimed to be the Fastest Brain in the world. Five times World Champion, Vishy is the only person in Chess history to have won a World championship title in all formats - match, knock-out and tournament. It is his success in the world scene that has made this ancient Indian game, a mass sport in India.

NIIT offers a unique opportunity to every Indian to take pride in Vishy's achievements and wish him good luck before the forthcoming World Chess Championship. The best entries stand a chance to win free ticket during the World Chess Championship 2013 and special gifts on every alternate day, for the best wish expressed.

Vishy has been associated with NIIT for nearly 15 years now. NIIT MindChampions' Academy (MCA), a not-for-profit joint initiative that was started by NIIT & Vishy to promote Chess in schools, has today touched 1.65 million children in over 17,000 schools cumulatively, across the country. Over the years, MCA has not only enabled schools to use Chess as an academic tool but has also made it possible for Vishy, personally, to take the legacy of Chess to children across India.

Speaking on the #Wish4Vishy initiative, World Chess Champion and NIIT MindChampion, ViswanathanAnand said, "I would like to thank everyone for the amazing wishes. To all the friends who have sent intheir wishes for me through NIIT's Wish4Vishy initiative, I would like to say that every single wish means a lot to me. Thank you for the fantastic support and your love."

G Raghavan, Chief Executive, Career Building Solutions, NIIT Limited said "It is a matter of immense pride for every Indian that five-time World Champion and NIIT MindChampion Vishy Anand will be defending his World title at his home ground inChennai, this November. Therefore, we have specially put together the #Wish4Vishy movement to give every Indian an opportunity to cheer for Vishy and be a part of this excitement."

The unique initiative involves sending in best wishes to Vishy over NIIT's social platforms for the World Chess Championship. These include: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Vine:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NIIT4u
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wish4vishy
Vine: On twitter Page
Instagram: http://instagram.com/wish4vishy


The Microsite http://www.wish4vishy.com would be the hub of all the wishes pouring in. There is an Instagram Feed, Twitter Feed, Facebook feed as well as wishes coming in straight from the microsite that would be visible.

About NIIT MindChampions' AcademyThe NIIT MindChampions' Academy (MCA), a not-for-profit initiative has been set up as a joint initiative by Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand and NIIT Limited with the objective of promoting Chess in schools to enable development of young minds. Studies have shown that Chess improves concentration and diligence thus helping students perform better academically.

Established in 2002, MCA has touched 1.65 million children in over 17,000 schools cumulatively, across India. Over the last 11 years MCA has organized more than 16,000 school level tournaments and over 5,500 District level & State Level tournaments. World Chess Champion and NIIT MindChampion Viswanathan Anand has personally travelled to various parts across Indiaand has visited countries like Africa & China, spreading the message and motivating the school students to start playing Chess.

NIIT MindChampions' Academy conducts the hugely popular Annual Event, known as ChessMaster for school children acrossIndia within the NIIT network of schools where it provides IT education. It is also the first institution in India to launch a certificate program in Chess under a Central Government University umbrella- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

NIIT now offers the unique opportunity to wish World Chess Champion and NIIT MindChampion Viswanathan Anand on the eve of the World Chess Championship at Chennai through #Wish4Vishy (http://www.wish4vishy.com), initiative powered by NIIT Cloud Campus. Wishes can be submitted online with applicants standing a chance to win free ticket to the World Chess Championship.

NIIT Cloud Campus[TM]is a pioneering initiative from NIIT to help take high quality educational programs to the remotest corners of the country. NIIT Cloud Campus[TM]is based on a revolutionary educational paradigm which takes students beyond the traditional classroom teaching. Further, NIIT has set up http://www.niitcloudcampus.com asa student gateway to help them identify trends in new age skills and offermore information on NIIT Cloud Campus[TM].

About NIIT
Established in 1981, NIIT Limited, a leading Global Talent Development Corporation and Asia's premier IT trainer, offers learning and knowledge solutions across 40 countries. Leading IT journal Dataquest has conferred upon NIIT the 'Top IT Training Company' award successively for the past 20 years, since the inception of this category.

NIIT's Individual Learning Business offerings include industry-endorsed programs for students seeking careers in IT - GNIIT and Edgeineers, and GlobalNet+ for IT professionals. The company has introduced "India's first cloud campus", through its new-age GNIIT program. This offers students a higher mobility as they can access courseware using Netbooks to connect seamlessly to NIIT's Cloud Campus network.

NIIT's Corporate Learning Solutions offers Managed Training Services including integrated learning solutions (strategic consulting, learning design, content development, delivery, technology, assessment and learning management) to Fortune 500 companies, Universities, Technology companies, Training corporations and Publishing houses.

a joint venture between NIIT and NSDC, offers vocational skills training programs to enhance employability of youth acrossIndia.

NIIT provides computer-based learning to around 15,000 government and private schools. The futuristic NIIT nGuru range of learning solutions for schools comprises Interactive Classrooms, Math Lab, IT Wizard programs and Quick School (Education Resource Planning software).

- Centre for Advanced Learning, offers Executive Learning Programs in association with leading Business schools in India, KPMG, Google India and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), using the synchronous learning platform.

NIIT Institute of Finance Banking & Insurance (NIIT IFBI), formed by NIIT with equity participation from ICICI Bank, offers programs for individuals and corporates in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance.

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World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand the 'Credible' Brand Ambassador - Commercial Videos

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Carlsen not Overwhelming Favourite, Anand will retain World Chess Champion Title: GM Abhijeet Gupta

World Chess Championship 2013 GM interview - Former Indian national chess champion Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta feels Viswanathan Anand is going to keep his title at the upcoming World Chess Match versus Magnus Carlsen. Gupta is a former World Junior Chess Champion and spoke to the Times of India:  

"It will be a very intense match and Anand's experience in such events should come in very handy. Anand has established himself as an all round player, winning the world championship in knockout, match-tournament and matches. Carlsen undoubtedly is the most worthy challenger but one needs nerves of steel for such matches," Gupta said.

Regarding Carlsen, Gupta said, "Carlsen lost the last two games (at the London Chess Candidates) under pressure when a draw might have been enough to clinch the right to challenge Anand, he was lucky in some way as Kramnik also lost the last game. It was nerve-wreaking to say the least but it also tells us that Carlsen is capable of losing as well, giving Carlsen the tag of overwhelming favourite is probably not justified."

"There is a thin line between pressure of playing at home and enjoying the home advantage, Anand will surely tackle it. He beat Topalov in Bulgaria which would surely help in learning how not to let this advantage slip," he said. 


"It will be a very close affair surely. I guess the first half will be important from Anand's perspective, Carlsen will be full of energy in those games and mostly will come down guns blazing. In the second half it won't be so simple for Carlsen that's why matches are so difficult," Gupta noted. 

"Against Topalov in 2010 Anand started with a loss and won the second game itself. Against Gelfand in 2012 too Anand lost first before winning while against Kramnik in 2008 he simply outclassed the Russian, so for Anand it probably doesn't matter. He comes back harder when down, and rolls over you when he is up. The stuff legends are made of," said Gupta.

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Carlsen is Going to India Not to Hypnotise Anand, but to Play Good Chess: Manager Espen Agdestein

At the Sinquefield Chess Cup 2013 in Saint Louis: Nakamura managed to draw both his games with Magnus Carlsen, but wasn't it chess? ;)

This is pure chess: Magnus Carlsen is not going to India to hypnotise Viswanathan Anand, says Espen Agdestein, manager of the world's highest-rated chess player. 

Actually, Hikaru Nakamura started the rumours by wearing sunglasses to games with Magnus Carlsen a few weeks back at the Sinquefield Chess Cup in Saint Louis. Several website from Times to the US Chess Fed site had spoken about chess hypnotism then - all in good fun, we suppose. At the Sinquefield Chess Cup, commentators Jennifer Shahade and Yasser Seirawan turned up in dark glasses the next day as well :)

Possibly, those chess articles came out when the World Chess Championship fever for the big match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand had not really caught on yet. 

Friday morning, Indian newspaper Times of India carried the chess article titled: Can wily Carlsen stare Viswanathan Anand down? 

First the article hit the chess twitteratti, and soon enough, Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet even obtained a clarification from none other than Magnus Carlsen manager, Espen Agdestein!

Agdestein said the chess hypnosis theory is by Korchnoi and he alone knows about it. Magnus Carlsen is going to India to play good chess, not to hypnotise the World Chess Champion is Agdestein's clear answer.  

At present, Magnus Carlsen is training with his team for the big chess title at a secret location. His training includes physical sports which Carlsen is known to be fond of. Agdestein said the team was well prepared including ready for the specific hot Indian weather that would "greet" Carlsen in Chennai, considering that Carlsen is a true blue Norwegian. Carlsen's team includes his chef, doctor and bodyguard apart from others. 

Agdestein said the chess prodigy is training at a place where the weather is similar to what he would experience in Chennai so that he can gather his energies and be ready to acclimatise quickly. -- Rajat M Khanna

* Chessbase detailed article on chess hypnotism
* WhyChess article on Korchnoi's chess hypnotism theory

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World Champion Viswanathan Anand's Chess Received Huge Support from his School Don Bosco in Chennai

World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand received special support from his school when it came to his chess. The Indian school system is known to be quite burdensome for kids who want to excel at sports and other hobbies. Often, parents have to take a call on allowing their children to make the difficult choice between a hobby that might not guarantee them a livelihood and studies that could take them to the top of a traditional profession.

No one bothered with sports, forget chess, when Viswanathan Anand was a school-going kid. Things have improved in India now as awareness grows particularly when it comes to a sport like cricket. There is considerable hype now that the World Chess Championship is going to be held in India.

Viswanathan Anand has been extremely fortunate with his schooling at Don Bosco, Egmore, Chennai. It was an illustrious school in Chennai even in the 80s. It had excellent facilities for academics and sports. Its alumni already included some top sportspersons.

“Anand was a budding chess player and used to take part in many tournaments. I remember he used to come with his mother and his father was in the Railways at that time,’’ says Albert Sam, physical director of Don Bosco. Sports teachers Vijaykumar and Charles would often accompany Anand to chess matches in other schools and colleges. The vice-principal at that time, Father Simon, was said to support table tennis over cricket, but he liked Anand and encouraged him. Anand was known as a well-behaved student.

Viswanathan Anand had to miss classes quite a bit because of competitions and travelling. But, he received special support from his school for that. Perhaps, no other student was granted as much absence of leave from school as Anand. His support system also included his late mathematics teacher Lourdaraj who helped Anand prepare for the examinations. 

-- Rajat Khanna

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Chennai to become Chess City from Monday with Chess Tournaments in Parks, Stadium, Govt Secretariat

Come Monday and you would be able to zip down from your office, catch a quick chess game with a professional player in a nearby park, and win a prize for the dinner... in Chennai that is. Chess is going to become a street-celebration this season in Chennai beginning Monday (October 28).

The Chennai Hyatt Regency is hosting the Anand, Carlsen World Chess Championship from November 7. The All-India Chess Federation (AICF) has planned a series of parallel chess tournaments and events. The AICF is going to take chess to the city parks, Nehru Stadium and the government offices' secretariat!

One of the Chennai venues for street chess this October-November: Anna Nagar Tower Park was built in 1968 as part of the World Trade Fair. 

First up will be blitz chess tournaments for bureaucrats, journalists, the secretariat staff, veterans (above 60 years), and film artistes. There will also be a chess event for the visually challenged from October 27-31. $9000 approx will be set aside as prizes for each of these chess tourname­nts.

“We want to involve people from cross-sections of society and take chess to the masses,” says AICF president J.C.D. Prabhakar. He told journalists a list of professional chess players is being prepared. These chess players will take up challenges from the public at select locations across Chennai: Anna Nagar Tower, Mylapore’s Nagesh­wa­ra Rao Park and T. Nagar’s Panagal Park between 4 pm and 6 pm until November 5. Everyone who beats the professional players will win prizes.

Prabhakar also said they would try and arrange for public display screens/boards at select locations across Chennai as part of the Anand, Carlsen World Chess Championship side events. -- Zainab Raza Undulusi

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Studio Anne Carlton World Chess Championship 2013 Official Chess Set to be Unveiled at Kids India Toy Fair

During November Chennai will be the focus of global attention as local hero and World Champion of seven years, Vishy Anand faces a challenge for his chess crown from the young Norwegian with smouldering movie star good looks, Magnus Carlsen. Ranked world number one at just 22 years old, Carlsen has already achieved celebrity status across the globe, appearing in US Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people and in the UK debuting on a list of the sexiest men of 2013. Judging by the pop star reception he received during his summer visit to India, Carlsen will have a loyal fan base here during the Championship match, despite Anand’s home advantage.
 

World Chess is officially cool and Kids India will showcase the official unveiling in India of the World Chess Championship Chess Set. (Stand No. A20 at Kids India Toy Fair)

Designed exclusively for World Chess by revered architect and industrial designer Daniel Weil, the set reflects an exciting new era for the classic game.

And it is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected traditional games companies, Studio Anne Carlton, which has been appointed as the official manufacturer and distributor of the FIDE approved World Chess Championship Chess Set.

Studio Anne Carlton managing director, Michael Lee, explains why the Kids India Toy Fair is the perfect platform to showcase the World Chess Championship Chess 2013 Set:

“World Chess and Studio Anne Carlton are committed to supporting global initiatives to promote chess in schools and the communities, helping and encouraging children of all ages to play chess, not just for enjoyment but to assist both their education and social skills. It’s therefore appropriate that the official launch of the set in India takes place at such an important children’s focused event as Kids India.”
 

The Championship Chess Set is the first in the World Chess range and is the flagship product for World Chess that is intended to be used in all Championship events. Weil’s design affords more than a respectful nod to the Staunton set required for competition play, but with a contemporary 21st century styling that is already being appreciated by the younger, design led generation. 

Simple perfection is shown in the hand-crafted natural and ebonised boxwood pieces and the rosewood and maple chessboard.

Magnus Carlsen on his way to victory in the London 2013 Candidates Tournament playing with the World Chess Championship Chess Set

Vishy Anand will always be a respected role model, but Magnus Carlsen is a role model for a new generation with his ‘smart is cool’ persona that has drawn A-list attention too. He now counts global superstar rapper Jay-Z as a fan. 
Chess is on the cusp of a new era, set to reignite global audiences and inspire a new generation and ambitious children will want to play with the same chess set as Magnus Carlsen, the

Purchase the official World Chess Championship Chess Set from www.studioannecarltonchess.com. Trade enquiries contact Studio Anne Carlton; Email: info@sac-games.com (Tel: +44 (0) 1482 327019)

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Carlsen Definitely has Better Chances at World Chess Championship 2013 versus Anand: GM Parimarjan Negi

World Chess Championship 2013 GM interview - Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi - the second youngest chess Grandmaster (at 13 years, four months, 22 days in 2006) in the world after Sergey Karjakin of Russia says Magnus Carlsen has the upper hand in the upcoming 2013 World Chess Championship versus Viswanathan Anand. GM Parimarjan Negi spoke to New Indian Express: 

“The first time I saw him (Magnus Carlsen), I was 11 and he was 13. It was at the chess tournament where he achieved his final GM norm, where I was a participant as well. He was already a superstar.”

“Carlsen definitely has the better chance. He is mentally very tough and that is one of his strongest points. The one thing working against him is that everybody expects him to win. His chances of winning are good, but definitely not as high as they are being made out to be. He showed some nerves during the recent Candidates tournament.”

“Anand is definitely not a worse player than Carlsen. It is just that he has not been at his best recently while Carlsen is at his peak. Anand has been trying to change his style a lot. Earlier, he was trying to be solid and take fewer risks, but that will not work against Carlsen who is physically fit and has great stamina. He has tried to play a more powerful complicated game in recent times, but has made a number of blunders along the way. If he can avoid those blunders, then the match will definitely be very close.”

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I am the Favourite in any Tournament I Play: Magnus Carlsen in Chennai Hotel Room Video Interview

World Chess Championship 2013 video update: A cool shower to wash away the Chennai heat impacts not Magnus Carlsen's killer instinct. Boyish charms aside, Magnus Carlsen says, "I am the favourite in any tournament I play. I have the supreme belief if I do my best I will win." 

Chess' poster boy and his team visited Chennai to inspect the venue of the World Chess Championship, the Hyatt Regency in Chennai. In this interview, Carlsen projects confidence about playing in Chennai and his chances. (Producer: Vijay Kumar Camera: Benjamin Ree)

It's a short interview of the Norwegian chess talent, but you could watch it a couple of times over!

Don't forget to vote in our online poll on the column top right on who will win the World Chess Championship 2013: Viswanathan Anand or Magnus Carlsen?

Meanwhile, hope you spotted this fortune cookie Magnus Carlsen tweeted ;)

 

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Anand will have to Change Strategy vs Unpredictable Carlsen at World Chess Championship: GM RB Ramesh

World Chess Championship 2013 GM interview - Grandmaster RB Ramesh - who gave India's youngest national chess champion last year - has said the result of the 2013 World Chess Championship between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand will depend considerably on the chess support the two receive from their seconds. GM RB Ramesh was quoted in an interview given to New Indian Express this weekend. Here are the relevant quotes:

On the chess styles of Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen: Anand prepares very well and likes to get into a familiar position on the chess board while and putting his opponent into unfamiliar territory where they would be at a loss. Anand is more traditional (in his chess style) and tends to follow the main opening lines while Carlsen on the other hand is likely to play offbeat sidelines and look to neutralise Anand’s preparatory advantage. (Photos via Chess Gurukul - GM RB Ramesh and wife GM Aarthie Ramaswamy's chess school in Chennai.)

On Viswanathan Anand's strengths: He has got the experience of playing many matches against top class opponents like Anatoly Karpov, Vladimir Kramnik, Boris Gelfand and Veselin Topalov. Anand’s main strength is his preparation which has worked well against most opponents and his aggressive play as he has the ability to calculate the moves very well.

On Magnus Carlsen's strengths: Carlsen seems to have the mentality that there is too much opening theory and it is impossible to master all of that. So he relishes the challenge of getting his adversary to play unknown positions where his originality would come to the fore. The World No 1 has great fighting spirit and stamina and even in losing positions, he never gives up and tries some trick or other to get back on an even keel. Another key strength is his endgame where Carlsen tries to force a victory breaking down his opponents after putting them under relentless pressure until they make a blunder or cave in through mental fatigue.

On the challenge presented to Viswanathan Anand by playing Carlsen as opposed to Kramnik and Gelfand: Against players of his generation like Kramnik and Gelfand, Anand could play the principled main line openings since they play similar in that regard, but it won’t be possible against Carlsen who is unpredictable and may play different sidelines each time. Typically at the top level, GMs tend to split the point when they reach a position of no-advantage but for Carlsen, that represents just the start and he would enjoy the prospect of a long battle.

On who would win World Chess Championship 2013: Anand has not played very well in the last two years and slipped down the rating while Carlsen is on the way up (having broken Kasparov’s all-time high FIDE rating) and looks to be peaking at the right time. So, Anand would look to bring forth new ideas in opening to get into complicated positions and put pressure on Carlsen hence gaining an advantage while Carlsen would look to stretch the game and take him to new positions. The role of the seconds would be very important as they have to prepare for many sidelines too. I believe the player who is able to bring forth his strategy onto the board will ultimately triumph.

On Anand being a role model for Indian kids: He is a very nice person and has a very good sense of humour. He is also very articulate in expressing his ideas. Anand is very encouraging and whenever Indians win a tournament, he used to call them up and congratulate them. That motivates the young players a lot.

On his interaction with Anand in the past: When we were kids, we were inspired by his feats. Anand spent a lot of time abroad but when he came to Chennai, he would host a dinner for the promising youngsters. Due to a paucity of good books and training at that time, it was “education time” for us to clarify our doubts and we drilled him with a number of questions–some idiotic ones as well but he patiently answered all of us. That helped us understand the thinking of a Grandmaster and improve our game. Initially we were all focused on results but Anand used to tell us, “Chess should be fun” and that we should enjoy ourselves. Later we found that to be very true.

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