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 Welcome to Live and Exclusive Chat with
Former World Champion and Super Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand. This Chat comes to you from
ChennaiOnline and
NIIT
Harish: Welcome Mr. Anand
Vishy: Hello there !
Vishal: Hi Anand what do you think the up and coming players like Harikrishna and Sasikiran need to do in order to emulate you?
Vishy: They need more tournaments. Especially with players stronger than them.
Rudy:
Vishy, in my opinion, positional play is the hardest thing to learn (and understand) in chess. How do you recommend I learn this part of the game?
Vishy: Nowadays, I think tactics bring far more points, while positional play is something you develop just looking at other games.
Vishal: Ponomariov says he wants to prove that he is a worthy opponent for Kasparov...Your comments?
Vishy: He has a good chance to do so since he is very young. Kasparov is now 40.
Chandar: What is your rating at present?
Vishy: 2764 but I have 11 points pending which I'll get in July.
Guestsri: You are a great role model for India, Sir. I like your all games.
Vishy: Thank u very much
Vishyfan: I am a great fan of yours. Can you please tell me your favorite
websites for chess? And could you also please tell me the best websites to learn chess? What do you think of
chessgames.com ? All the best in your career.
Vishy: i go to ICC and and the
ChessBase server and
TWIC
to get games.
ks: Do you visit playsite.com Does the vish clan belong to you?
Vishy: What is the vish clan?
jagan: Vish clan is a play site.
Vishy: No, I have no knowledge of a vish clan.
vivekn70: Hi Anand - do you think novelties are getting exhausted and that chess will be a different game a few years from now.
Vishy: It's tougher and tougher to find entirely new lines and lines die much faster due to the computer's help in checking lines. But somehow the game seems to be going fine for the moment anyway
Vishal: Chess is becoming a sport in the minds of the parents of our country...More and more kids are taking part in tournaments these days...there are Government
awards. Also a lot of cash incentives coming from respective sponsors...Quite different from your time and yet except Sasikiran no one has really come up...what is the reason?
Vishy: Vishal, it takes time.
Vishyfan7: What do you think of fritz 8 software? i bought one recently.........I am your no:1 fan.......
Vishy: It's very good. Good to play and a good place to play others in online chess.
ks: When will you visit playsite.com?
Vishy: Don't know that either.
Guest76: Hi, is there any chance that we can see you in the Middle East? You have a huge following here!
Vishy: Was in Dubai last year and hopefully something will come up again. I play in Qatar and UAE often.
Guest: How should youngsters take up chess? What is the right way of getting them interested?
Vishy: Just get youngsters playing.
 varshini: I am an U/9 player - of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Guest59: Do you plan to visit Moscow in the near future?
Vishy: No event coming up in Moscow.
Chandar: What is your favorite line for e4 ? for d4 ? for c4 ?
Vishy: I play lots of openings.
ks: Anand, how does one become a chess master? Can you give me some ideas?
Vishy: Just practice and read a lot.
ks: I like chess very much and I spend lots of time playing chess but I don't know how to improve my chess systematically. Can u suggest a system which can work for me?
Vishy: Try to play stronger opponents and then look over your games.
anand: Sir , could you please tell me about some of your unforgettable games?
Vishy: Couple of games against Lautier from Biel 1997, Ftacnik from 1993.
DR: Hi Anand! Met you yesterday. Is there any chess syllabus for IMs and GMs...
Vishy: No, not really.
Susi: What do you think of reunification?
Vishy: It is very unclear right now where the next matches will be held.
(Aruna
Anand chips in "Is it Anand's mom Susila logging in as Susi ?)
Mohan: When will your Chess Academy be launched?
Vishy: It has been launched, hopefully it will start work soon.
Guest34: So how does it feel to play chess?
Vishy: I like playing, that's the main motivation to play!
nava: Who do you feel is the best player in the world?
Vishy: At the moment it is probably still Kasparov
A_Guest: Anyway, best of luck for the Dortmund qualifier. I hope you win!
Vishy: Thanks for your wishes.
venky: Is not the reunification in a mess?
Vishy: Yes Venky, it is in a bit of a mess.
Harish: Dear Anand, You are so brilliant in tactics, why don’t you consciously enter tactical positions like Shirov does?
Vishy: I think you control the game better when the tactics flow out of the position.
Guest39: Hello Vishy, this is Ashwani Tiwari from Jalandhar.
Vishy: Hi Ashwani
S: How should one prepare the middle game?
Vishy: See lots of other games and study the games of famous players.
Guest75: What inspired u to become a chess champion?
Vishy: My mother taught me chess and inspired me.
Harish: Why don’t you beat Kasparov? You know you are better than him.
Vishy: Yes, it would be a nice feeling.
Guest75: Mr. Anand, how do you train for an Open tournament?
Vishy: I don't train much for an open tournament.
Guest: What is the best opening for a beginner?
Vishy: Just try to find lots of ideas since u don't know who you will play against.
Harish: I suggest you train yourself for a month imagining you have a match to play with Gary. And then you will be able to consistently beat him.
S: For Sicilian Taimanov, whose game should I study?
Vishy: Taimanov, Lautier, myself, Judit.
Vishy: I love to work with them.
jagan80: Do u love to play with computers?
Vishy: I don't play against them that often.
Ashwani: Vishy, are you planning to play in Israel?
Vishy: Not right now. No events planned.
Rudy: What's you're handle on ICC Vishy?
Vishy: Secret. I'll ask them for a public handle.
Vishy: On ChessBase, it's 'the vish'.
Guest: How many hours do you work in a day?
Vishy: Depends. Sometimes one hour, sometimes nine.
 Guest: Hi Anand, can the 'lightning kid' tell us how to prepare for rapid tournaments -- how do you think so fast?
Vishy: Just have to be very fresh for rapid events since they are so intense.
Guest: I am your fan, I wish you all the best in your career.
deepacn: What do you feel after all these victories?
Vishy: Every victory is nice of course.
Harish: My daughter is two and a half years old. When can I start her on chess?
Vishy: As early as she is interested.
Guest75: I am playing chess for the last 3 years. I am now aged 12 and want to get a national title. How do I prepare for it?
Vishy: Just look at the games of the old masters.
Guest76: How is it that you don't get intimidated by other leading players? - I admire your nerve
Vishy: One gets used to it.
ks: Have you visited Singapore?
Vishy: I have been to Singapore several times.
Rudy: Vishy, will you be writing books on chess in the near future?
Vishy: At the moment, I have no plans to write a book.
little_Garry: Do you think there will ever be a reunification in the chess world?
Vishy: Yes, there is simply no alternative.
hema: My son is four years old and has just started to learn chess from a professional master, any advice for him?
Vishy: Let him develop at his own pace.
Guest19: I am 16 and I live for chess but my parents tell me chess dulls the mind if played too often. Is this true?
Vishy: No, not at all, but variety is good, so have other hobbies as well.
Ashwani: Vishy, chess players, tournaments and chess culture are concentrated mostly in southern India. How do you think the other states, which are lagging behind, especially the northern states, can give a fillip to the game?
/Vishy: Hold more tournaments and events.
jagan80: Anand, what do you prefer? Playing with computers or human beings?
Vishy: I prefer playing with human beings.
Harish: Between Gary and Vlady, who do you think is stronger?
Vishy: Gary's results are more impressive but Vlady is his bete noire
!
Guest: Who is your favorite chess player?
Vishy: I like Tal and Fischer.
Guest76: I am Sangeetha u/12. I want to become a national player. Please advise me.
Vishy: Keep playing tournaments, Sangeetha.
Super_GM: Anand, would you be interested in match game with someone from Afghanistan?? Afghanistan has only 7 rated players so far.....
Vishy: It would be nice to visit Afghanistan.
ks: What is your mother's name?
Vishy: Susila is my mother's name.
Super_GM: Hindi main baat kyon nahin karte?
Vishy: No.
S: Which is your favorite book?
FRAZ: Which book do you recommend for a player between 2000-2100 ELO?
Vishy: Books like chess fundamentals by Capablanca.
visudido: I am your fan, from which age did you start playing chess?
Vishy: 6.
shiva: Any experience with Deep Blue?
Vishy: No experience with Deep Blue.
 Guest19: Hi, could you try and do something to start FIDE rated tournaments in the gulf? We don't have any for school children.
Rudy: What are your thoughts on the 'Scandinavian'?
Vishy: At the moment, the Scandinavian is surviving in some lines, but it is always under pressure.
Guest76: Anand, what is your opinion of Chinese chess players and Asian Chess?
Vishy: The women are strong in particular but they have depth in men's chess as well.
Ashwani: I think an event from the sponsors of Haifa Rapid is coming up but they are trying to find out if you are available.
Harish: Common perception in the chess world is that one has to beat GK consistently to be WC. In the absence of a WC cycle, this is a short-cut for you to be an universally accepted WC (albeit unofficially).
Vishy: Yes Harish, he was WC for 15 years, and the most famous chess player.
shiva: Will you ever return to India for good?
Vishy: I haven't really left India and I will spend more time here as I play fewer events.
visudido: In how many moves should we make the opponent surrender?
Vishy: Don't worry about the length of the game.
visudido: All the best, and best wishes from us all here in Chennai.
Vishy: Thanks Visudido.
Mohan75: We are sorry that there is much criticism about your non-participation in the Olympics. We understand that the format is not good. But even then why don't you make some compromise, play for the country and avoid such criticism?
Vishy: Will think about it, Mohan.
S: Sir, will you suggest how to improve tactics?
Vishy: Solve puzzles and play sharp positions.
Ashwani: Its my wish that you play in Israel especially since Indo-Israel ties are becoming better. My friend GM Alon Greenfeld thinks the same.
Vishy: I have played there twice.
Boopathy: Hello Anand Sir. How are you you?
Guest75: Hi, could you advise me on how to prepare at home? I only have a chessmaster 4000.
Vishy: Play online chess if you don't like to go to a chess club.
visudido: Do you recommend any sort of meditation or physical exercise to play good chess?
Vishy: Yes, physical exercise is essential for chess.
Super_GM: Can you beat Kramnik in a 24-game match?
Vishy: I have chances.
Droletsky: Hello Vishy! I am from Quebec city and I just want to ask you if its true that at one time Fischer wanted to play a match with you (10 years ago)?
Vishy: Yes, Fischer wanted to play a match in 1986 but it didn't come through.
Guest84: Hi, I would like to play with you sometime....can it be arranged, you think?
Vishy: Sure.
Samir: Hi Anand, Samir Desai from London. What is your favorite food?
Vishy: I like South Indian food, but also many others.
Harish: I am 36 years and am rated 1650 on ICC. Any hope of getting a real ELO rating for me? Or am I too old?
Guest99: Hi Vishy, being a super GM do you think 'Learning' has been a bit more difficult for you. May be difficult is the correct word..?
Vishy: You always find things to learn, but it's true it's tougher to learn as you go along.
visudido: Where did you do your schooling?
Vishy: I studied in Don Bosco in Chennai.
Guest: i always play the Queen's Gambit. Is this a weakness on my part?
Vishy: Not really, but flexibility is useful.
ks: Do you have your own website?
Vishy: I don't have my own website.
Samir: From among the young generation in India, who do you see as future World champion?
Vishy: At the moment, it's difficult to single out one person.
FRAZ: How to improve calculation speed ? How many moves do you have in mind when you calculate?
Vishy: Keep practicing.
Guest: SANGEETHA ;How was your WC experience?
Vishy: Winning felt great. It's always tough and intense.
Guest53: You have said in interview that children should be left alone until 12 years, but already
Karjakin is a GM at the age of 12. Current day world is very fast, isn't it?
Vishy: Well, he developed naturally. No point in parents forcing their kids to play.
Droletsky: Thank you Vishy for your last interview which I saw on chess base !! I learn a lot when I read your interviews.
Vishy: Thanks Droletsky.
visudido: What sort of exercise do you recommend?
Vishy: Anything for endurance.
ks: What do you think about the Danish gambit?
Vishy: Thought it was refuted.
Guest39: How did you select your coach?
Vishy: Someone I enjoy working with; should be experienced.
Super_GM: I play on the fritz server as Super_GM..I would like to challenge you to a game? Will you accept next time I see you?
Vishy: I don't usually play that much, prefer to watch others.
visudido: What you do after long hours of chess?
Vishy: Sleep, watch TV, go for a walk.
Guest33: Your Eurotel win was brilliant.
Vishy: Thanks guest 33.
 FRAZ: What is the maximum number of moves that you can see ahead?
Vishy: No such thing. But usually you make up your mind after 5 or 6 moves.
visudido: From which age did you start playing?
Vishy: I learnt chess when I was 6.
Guest890: What is your id in fritz server?
Vishy: the vish with the king logo
Guest7591: When will you reach 2800?
Vishy: Hopefully by mid next year.
visudido: Any good suggestions to increase memory power?
Vishy: Wish I knew.
visudido: Who is your favorite Indian actor?
Vishy: Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan.
kluivats: Does your celeb status, affect your day to day life? (shopping, going to a theatre to watch movie)
Vishy: To some degree, but usually in a pleasant way!
woodpusher: How long will you be here in Chennai?
Vishy: I leave in a couple of days.
Guest7591: My son N. Srinath plays fast. Will it hamper his performance in classical games? Should I allow him to play naturally or should he slow down?
Vishy: Just let him develop naturally.
FRAZ: Do you think that static positional play is dead ? Actually all players are sharp and aggressive.
Vishy: Well to get the position you want, you often have to use tactics.
Guest53: Do u speak Spanish?
Vishy: Yes, I speak Spanish. Once in a while.
visudido: You like watching movies? Which Tamil song you like most?
Vishy: In Spain, I don't get to watch lots of our movies.
Super_GM: Can a master level player become SuperGM without a coach? Or is it necessary to have one?
kluivats: How do you relax after a tense match?
Vishy: Go for a walk. Listen to music. After a defeat, I like the gym so that I fall asleep quickly!
Guest41: Do you feel that you worked for chess greatness or you have natural talent?
Venkatesh: How do you spend your time apart from chess?
Vishy: Lounging around.
Super_GM: Tu moriras un dia para tu no save quando? lol
Vishy: Gracias.
ks: Do you practice yoga?
Vishy: I do yoga once in a while.
Harish: Vishy, are you interested in music?
woodpusher: In continuation with the fraz question - hasn't chess become 'Power Play' - sort of - people used to play thematic chess earlier - now a days they try to out calculate each other - isn't it harmful to the game as such?
Vishy: Even if you want a placid position, to get there you have to check tactics.
Vishy: That's the nature of the game.
Thomas: How was your stay in Denmark? Your play was very convincing.
Vishy: I enjoyed Denmark a lot; Copenhagen, where we stayed for three days afterwards.
Rudy: Could you recommend books on tactics?
Vishy: Dvoretsky's book is nice. Shirov's book on his games. Games of great players. He and Vusupov have a whole series of instructional books
visudido: How will your mind be before the start of a game?
Vishy: Usually nervous.
visudido: At what age did you achieve world ranking in chess?
Super_GM: What would be the outcome of a Fischer-Kasparov 24 match game?
Vishy: Impossible to compare.
Vishy: Just like Morphy Kasparov!
Guest890: What was your initial fide rating?
Vishy: Right now 2764.
woodpusher: How should one improve 'vision' - and a sense of dynamism?
Vishy: Practice, practice.
kluivats: How did it feel when you got your first IM Norm?
Vishy: I got my title in the Asian juniors.
kluivats: World Championship or your first tournament win, which was more thrilling?
Vishy: First win!
visudido: Thanks for your kind reply. All the best in your career.
Vishy: Thanks.
Rudy: Would that be 'school of chess excellence 2 tactical play'?
Harish: Anand, don't take Judith lightly at Mainz. She is improving by the day.
Vishy: Of course, I don't take her lightly. She is playing well in Enghien right now as well.
Vishy: I will play in August.
Super_GM: I think I play positional chess but friends have told me that I go for tactics in post-mortem analysis. How to correct that?
Vishy: If it works, why change it?
Guest63: Vishy, how do you rate Kasparov?
Vishy: All-time great.
woodpusher: How do you feel when one refers to you as 'Vishy' when actually it is (Viswanathan) your father's name?
Vishy: Yes I am called so but I am used to being called Vishy.
Vishy: My father has a problem as people don't know by what name they should call
him?!
Guest7591: Hope you would cross 2800 soon.
Vishy: Thanks 7591.
Guest63: What is your advice for moderate players?
Vishy: Be more aggressive.
Guest63: Who is your favorite actress?
Vishy: Aishwarya Rai.
Guest890: We would like to see more action when you play against Kasparov.
Ashwani Tiwari: Vishy, chess players, tournaments and chess culture are concentrated mostly in southern India. How do you think the other states especially northern states can give a fillip to the game?
Vishy: I have answered this question already Ashwani.
Guest18: Actually, we want you to be no. 1.
Vishy: Thanks.
Rudy: Could you tell us a bit more about you're chess repertoire and how you came about it?
Super_GM: Why hasn't Shirov beaten Kasparov? Any personal insight?
Super_GM: Don't worry, I'm not KGB....lol.
Vishy: Yes, he has psychological problems with Kasparov but so do many others.
Woodpusher: Dortmant - all the best for the same - may you increase your
Elo !!
kluivats: What's your favorite dress?
Vishy: Casual; T-shirts, the like.
Guest7591: Be more aggressive in middle game??
Ashwani Tiwari: Vishy, what advice do you give to a player who loses almost 200 ELO points in two years after a break from chess. What is the best way to recover from such a situation?
Vishy: I don't know.
Rudy: My end game is really bad; can you recommend any books on the end game?
Vishy: The main thing is to work through end game exercises systematically. Can't think of a book which I can single out.
Kluivats: How helpful is your wife in your preparations?
Vishy: She does all the other work so I can concentrate on chess.
Ranjitha: Hello Vishy uncle. I have met you in your house.
stanny: How are you?
ranjitha: Remember me?
Vishy: You came with your father?
Ashwani: Is studying classics the best way to improve the basics? Which classics are the best?
Vishy: Yes, it's one way since you see practical examples.
Guest: Why do you like Aishwarya?
Vishy: She is pretty!
ranjitha: Am very happy that you remember me.
Vishy: Were you in Pollachi?
ranjitha: Hi Anand, how are you? This is Raghu and how is your solar heater?
Vishy: Works well!!
Vishy: I can be reached through http://chennaionline.com
& if you have more questions or want to send a message, contact me at
ravi@chennaionline.com and I will mail you my response, time permitting.
Vishy: Thanks everyone.
Rudy: Thanks Vishy!
Vishy: c u later
Rudy: Thanks Vishy!
Vishy: Sure Rudy
Ashwani Tiwari: Good luck, Vishy.
Vishy: Bye
Everyone.
ChennaiOnline and NIIT thank GM
Vishy Anand for this wonderful chat.
ChennaiOnline and NIIT thank all of you for the overwhelming response.
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