7 months ago
Vishy Anand Returns to Competitive Chess
Viswanathan Anand, a famous chess player, used to play chess competitively for many years.
He took a break and started doing other things like teaching young players and working with the chess federation.
But last year, he felt bored just watching tournaments and wanted to play again.
He accepted invitations to play in Kolkata and Jerusalem.
Even though he hasn't played much recently, he still knows a lot about chess and can make good moves.
Anand is different from other players who retired, like Garry Kasparov, because he never completely stopped playing.
He still has the competitive spirit and enjoys playing chess.
Viswanathan Anand, a former world chess champion, returned to competitive chess after a period of semi-retirement.
He felt the urge to compete again after watching tournaments for a few years and decided to accept invitations to play in Kolkata and Jerusalem.
Anand still has the mental muscle memory to make good moves but finds it challenging to decide on openings after long breaks.
Unlike Garry Kasparov, who retired completely, Anand never cut the cord and continues to play and enjoy chess.
Anand's competitive spirit and edge are still evident, as shown in his recent performance at the Tata Steel India Rapid and Blitz tournament.
- Who
- Viswanathan Anand, a former world chess champion
- What
- Anand's return to competitive chess after considering retirement
- Where
- Kolkata, India
- When
- Recently, during the Tata Steel India Rapid and Blitz tournament
- Why
- Anand felt the urge to compete again after watching tournaments for a few years
Key facts
- Player
- Viswanathan Anand
- Roles
- Deputy President of FIDE, Mentor, Chess Analyst
- Tournament
- Tata Steel India Rapid and Blitz
- Mentees
- D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa
- Retirement Status
- Semi-retired
- Recent Performance
- Almost won the Rapid portion
- Mental Challenge
- Difficulty in deciding moves after long breaks
Quotes
Viswanathan Anand
Five-time world chess champion and deputy president of FIDE
“At the end of last year in Kolkata, I had the feeling that I’d hit my limit just coming to watch the tournament. It (watching) is much harder than playing. I got fed up with not playing. Probably you’re experiencing this now.”
indianexpress.com
“It’s funny. You come to a tournament and the first year, you enjoy it: it’s fun watching and leaving. The following year, you do it again. But last year, I thought, ‘How many years can I just stand there and watch?’”
indianexpress.com
Alyssa Healy
Former Australia women's cricket team captain
“The last few years have been probably more mentally draining than anything else (due to injuries). You got to dive into the well a couple of times and probably that well was getting less and less full of water, so it was getting harder to dive back in there.”
indianexpress.com
“I’ve somewhat lost that competitive edge that’s kept me driven since the start.”
indianexpress.com
Garry Kasparov
Former world chess champion and chess legend
“Ask me in six months.”
indianexpress.com
