By IANS
Mexico City : It is never easy to avoid jumping with joy after competing three tense weeks against the world’s best players at the end of which one emerges as the undisputed world champion. Yet, Viswanathan Anand, as usual, managed to keep his emotions in check, even as he flitted from one interview to another after his quick 20-move draw with Hungarian Grandmaster Peter Leko.
Mexico has generally been a good venue for the Indian. Earlier this year he played the first leg of the Morelia-Linares tournament here. He won the tournament and with it also became the world’s number one rated player for the first time in his career.
Wearing a blue shirt with his Indian sponsor, NIIT’s name emblazoned on his left chest pocket, he was smiling from ear to ear.
In between answering a call from his sponsor, Rajendra Pawar of NIIT and being mobbed by youngsters and fans clamouring for his autograph, he also answered questions fired at him:
Question: What has been the first reaction to winning this title?
Anand: To be honest, I am still giving interviews and the feeling is yet to sink in completely. It has been six long years since I experienced this sensation. The first time was great but this is even better. Maybe I will soon realise how big all this is. But first let me start celebrating after all this (laughs).
Q: Overall, how did the tournament go from your point of view? You were dominant throughout, not losing a single game.
A: I am very proud of the way I played. I had prepared for this (tournament) since June. This was without doubt the most important event for the year. There was this one match where I was in danger against (Alexander) Grischuk in the 13th round. I think I flirted with defeat before getting a draw. Other than that I was very much in command. But till yesterday night I was a bit tense. However, with white pieces in the final round, it was not difficult to get the draw.
Q: How would you compare this with the first win in 2000?
A: That (2000) was also a great win as it was the first. Also winning at home in India was very special. But let us face it; this is the unified world championship. So now there are no two ways about this and I can only say that I am truly delighted.
Q: What about talk of Vladimir Kramnik having the right to challenge for the title once again?
A: Well, it’s been only a few hours since I won the title. We will take it one step at a time. Right now I want to celebrate this win and relish the moment. Other things can wait.
Q: If you had to choose your best game, which one would it be?
A: The game against Levon Aronian (second round) was the one. I was very happy with the novelty there. I had prepared for it and it worked very well. Overall, I am happy with the preparations. I was able to surprise my opponents and won three games with whites, which is good.
Q: What was your team like for this event?
A: I have been working intensely for three months with Peter Heine Nielsen and also some Indian players like Sandipan Chanda, Konguvel, Saravanan earlier.
Q: In terms of the games at this tournament, how was it?
A: It was always tense at the board with a lot of sharp lines and good calculation. My opening repertoire put pressure on the opponents and it was nice to get those winning lines.
Q: India won the Twenty20 world title in cricket and they got a great reception. Do you expect something like that when come home?
A: I heard about the cricket win. I did not see it. Generally I have always had good receptions when I get home, so it should be interesting to see what sort of reception I get when I come to India in about a couple of weeks’ time. I am sure my chess friends would give me a good welcome as always.