Anand hopes to claim world crown
[Appeared in Rediff.net on Apr 24th 1999]
[Author: Prem Panicker]

Indian grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand, who had a miserable run at the Dos Hermanas tournament in Spain, has exuded confidence that he could become the world champion by the end of the year.

''It was quite a disappointing performance at the Dos Hermanas. I have to overcome some technical problems to bring the best out of me. But you always learn from the mistakes you commit,'' the world number two said at a press briefing.

At the conference organised by NIIT, Anand entered into an agreement with the company as its global brand ambassador.

''The commonality of the tie between NIIT and the chess wizard is the cerebral domain of the mind,'' said Rajendra Pawar, managing director, NIIT, adding that through Anand the company wants to ''bring out the champion'' in their students.

Since Anand and NIIT are global achievers in their respective fields it paved the way for the partnership, Pawar said.

Referring to his lacklustre performance at the Dos Hermanas tournament, Anand said ''My confidence is not downplayed by any panic or undue worry.''

Anand could gather only 3.5 points, finishing joint last with Peter Svidler and Judith Polgar in the tournament, where Michael Adams of England emerged winner.

Anand said he was delighted to be in his country after a long time.

''I played about 14 to 18 tournaments since January 1997 and the schedule has been quite tiring in a way. So, I have to cut down on my schedule and play selective tournaments,'' he said.

As for now ''I will rest till May-end and in June, I will take on Anatoly Karpov at Leon,'' he said.

Asked what the prospects of his being world champion were, Anand said, "Probably by the end of the year".

With two major tournaments this year - the Advance Chess Tournament and the world championships, ''I will have to concentrate on my weaknesses and training aspect so that no technical or careless flaws are repeated again,'' the chess wizard said.

''Chess can be a good spectator's game too. But only if it could be presented more attractively like in the previous edition of the World Cup in France where some good commentators enthralled the audience, giving out the finer details of the game and the moves made by each player,'' Anand said