Chennai: As a stern test awaited his quest for a sixth title, Indian chess wizard Viswanathan Anand was a picture of confidence and he promised an attacking game against Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the much-awaited World Championship match that begins here on Saturday.
Anand, the undisputed world champion since 2007, faces a strong challenge from the 22-year-old Norwegian sensation Carslen in one of the most awaited World Chess Championship matches in recent history.
Asked how well he has prepared for the event, Anand said, "I worked as I always did. Couple of months of training and I think I am ready to attack. We will see how it goes, but I think I am ready to play.
"I am really excited to play in my home city. I am looking forward to the match starting and getting onto that," he said at the media conference ahead of championship.
In terms of hype, the match between the five-time champion Anand and world number one Carlsen is comparable to the historic clash between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky way back in 1972.
The two players sought to play a bit of mind games in their first press conferences ahead of the match, with Carlsen refusing to disclose the names of his seconds after Anand said Indian Grandmasters K Sasikiran and Sandipan Chanda, Hungarian Peter Leko and Poland's Radoslav Wojtaszek would assist him in the November 9-28 event.
"I appreciate Mr Anand's openness about his team, but I will say I am not going to return the favour," Carlsen said. "I am happy today. It is good to be here. Everything is good so far and I am looking forward to the match starting," said the current world number one Carlsen who won the right to contest against Anand after winning the Candidates Tournament earlier this year.
Asked about his response on Carlsen refusing to name his seconds, Anand said, "Since he cannot believe the whole truth about it and either of us, it does not really matter. I mean, I can answer a question honestly but you will never know whether it was the whole truth or not. The same goes for him. So, it does not really matter too much."
When a scribe asked a question to Carslen in French, the FIDE media officer requested him to translate it into English before answering in English, but the Norwegian refused. "I really do not know if this question should be really translated into English but I will have to reply," Carlsen said before replying in French.
Anand was also not to be left behind as he answered a question in Tamil a couple of minutes later.
Anand said that he was not perturbed by suggestions that he would begin as the underdog in the match. "I don't know. In general, I get ready to play against certain opponent. That is it. As for whether some thinks I am a favourite or not or the percentage that I enjoy, I do not know what you can do with that information any way."
Having won five world titles, Anand said his experience could come in handy in the 12-game match which will be played at the Hyatt Regency here. "Obviously, it is one factor among many. I will bring to bear those factors into my game. Definitely it is one of my resources I would like to draw from. We will have to see."
Carlsen also sought to downplay the view of some experts that he will start as favourite in the match. "I do not know if everyone considers me a favourite but in general I expect to do well in tournaments. If I manage to do well to my abilities and levels, I can win, and that will be my mindset here as well," he said.
Anand was emotional when asked about his quest of winning the sixth title in his home city. "For me, I am happy to play world championship match in Chennai in this life, which is my home. I thank J Jayalalithaa for helping me and making it happen in Chennai. It would not have happened without the Chief Minister's interest in the matter. I am really grateful to her for that ... I must now try and play my best. At this moment, I am only thinking as to how I am going to play," he said.
In a recent television interview, Carlsen had said that Anand enjoys good food and he (Anand) is somewhat lazy even though much more serious for a match like this. But asked about this, the Indian refused to react.
"I enjoy good food, that is for sure. As for the rest, you say a lot of things during interviews. It makes no sense to response to everything," said Anand.
Asked about the media hype for the event, Carlsen said, "I am happy that there is so much interest for chess in India. Anand is a star here and I am hoping there will be a lot of chess fans and media in general and lot of positive interest around the match."
Both Anand and Carlsen are staying at Hyatt, and when the Indian was asked about staying at the venue itself, he said, "This is very convenient, especially since you do not have to reckon with traffic hazards at all. Obviously for the players it is extremely comfortable. That is how I feel."
Carlsen, however, did not fully agree with Anand's statement and said, "It is not so much; of course there are some obvious advantages like logistical and on the other hand perhaps it is tough staying in the same place for a long time, but overall I am happy with the arrangements."
Meanwhile, FIDE Vice-President DV Sundar said some side events are being held during the World Championship match.
"Chennai is considered as the Mecca of Indian chess. We are hosting exclusive Women GM tournament, Open Women GM tournament and Under-17 tournaments and others," he said.
FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov said, "First of all, I thank the Chief Minister for hosting and sponsoring the event. I thank GM Anand and Carlsen."
Tamil Nadu Government is the official sponsor of the match and has given a cap of Rs. 29 crore as the total budget, which is inclusive of a prize fund of around Rs. 14 crore.
In all, 12 games will be played in the World Championship match under Classical system in which both players will get 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 and the 15 minutes for the remaining game with an increment of 30 seconds per move effective from the 61st move.
The first to score 6.5 points will win the match and the remaining games will not be played should it happen before the 12th game. The winner will take home 60 per cent of the prize fund.
In case of a tied score after twelve games, games of shorter duration will be played to determine the winner. However, if the tiebreak stage is reached, the winner will get 55 per cent of the total prize at stake.
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