With points favouring Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen 4.5-3.5 after eight games in the 12-game match in the World Chess Championship in Sochi, It’s time the underdog Indian grandmaster Vishwanthan Anand picks up the level of his game against him.
Couple of wins against Carlsen will certainly boost Vishy’s confidence, which is perhaps at its lowest level after his defeat against the same opponent in Chennai last year. However the veteran 44-year old did well to grab the right to face the 23-year old wonder boy by winning the Candidates title earlier this year, which shows his mental toughness. He could have easily sit at home and rest on his past laurels.
In the current championship one can see a different Anand, who is motivated to win the title.
In most of the games, Anand has played defensive games. In fact, the 122-move draw in the seventh game is the second longest game ever, in terms of moves, played in world championship title-matches.
Vishy will certainly regret his missed chance to win the sixth game. After thinking on various options, he messed up a possible match changing move by making a defensive move and let Carlsen off the hook. The later grabbed the opportunity and won the game.
Now, the onus is on him to proof his supremacy on the chessboard yet again. To the credit of Carlsen, the five-time world champion is unable to break his winning streak till now.
Since he is down by one point till now, merely draws won’t do. He needs to raise the level of his games not only to salvage his pride, but also of his fans as well, who have closely followed him over the last two decades.
Going by his past records, no one doubts his credibility to bounce back. After ruling the world chess so long till last year, Carlsen is continuously proving to be a hard nut to crack for him.
Its high time Vishy gives himself some time and think about his mistakes before facing Carlsen in the remaining games of the championship.
Anand should not miss the opportunity to regain his world title this time. You never know, the opportunity may never come again.
However, irrespective of win or loss Vishwanathan Anand will continue to rule the heart of millions of his fans worldwide forever.
Couple of wins against Carlsen will certainly boost Vishy’s confidence, which is perhaps at its lowest level after his defeat against the same opponent in Chennai last year. However the veteran 44-year old did well to grab the right to face the 23-year old wonder boy by winning the Candidates title earlier this year, which shows his mental toughness. He could have easily sit at home and rest on his past laurels.
In the current championship one can see a different Anand, who is motivated to win the title.
In most of the games, Anand has played defensive games. In fact, the 122-move draw in the seventh game is the second longest game ever, in terms of moves, played in world championship title-matches.
Vishy will certainly regret his missed chance to win the sixth game. After thinking on various options, he messed up a possible match changing move by making a defensive move and let Carlsen off the hook. The later grabbed the opportunity and won the game.
Now, the onus is on him to proof his supremacy on the chessboard yet again. To the credit of Carlsen, the five-time world champion is unable to break his winning streak till now.
Since he is down by one point till now, merely draws won’t do. He needs to raise the level of his games not only to salvage his pride, but also of his fans as well, who have closely followed him over the last two decades.
Going by his past records, no one doubts his credibility to bounce back. After ruling the world chess so long till last year, Carlsen is continuously proving to be a hard nut to crack for him.
Its high time Vishy gives himself some time and think about his mistakes before facing Carlsen in the remaining games of the championship.
Anand should not miss the opportunity to regain his world title this time. You never know, the opportunity may never come again.
However, irrespective of win or loss Vishwanathan Anand will continue to rule the heart of millions of his fans worldwide forever.
