The World Chess Federation’s rating list, or the FIDE rating list as it is usually called, is a prime indicator of the strength of a chess player in world championship matches. The higher ranked the player, the better chance he or she has of emerging triumphant in the contest. In the widely publicised match of the 20th century, Fischer was way ahead of Spassky in rating points, and naturally, he triumphed. But this circumstance is not forever accurate. Though rare on occasions, I can recall the eventful world championship match between Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik, London, 2000. In that instance, Kasparov was the higher ranked player and world champion, and Kramnik was the pathetic underdog. But surprisingly, Kramnik defeated Kasparov and became the new world champion. So a victory in world championships can go either way, but the favourite remains the player with the higher FIDE rank.
Norwegian grandmaster, 22 year-old Magnus Carlsen is FIDE’s highest ranked chess player on the planet. He stands majestically at an incredible 2,870 rating points, 95 more than Viswanathan Anand, who is ranked seventh in the world, and who is the current world champion. Carlsen has been winning tournament after tournament ahead of Anand, no doubt an uncomplicated embarrassment for the world champion. Now Carlsen is playing Anand, 43, for the world championship title. The two are contesting a 12-game match which began yesterday.
A number of chess grandmasters have aired their views on the match, either for Carlsen, or alternatively, for Anand. Anand’s support has been coming naturally from India, especially as the match is being contested in his hometown of Chennai. It is worthwhile therefore, to consider the thoughts for the two contenders as in all of sport, when two immensely talented sportsmen clash for the ultimate prize in their respective disciplines.
One billion people are willing Anand to win, but chess games are not determined by sentiment. I have separated therefore, the merited comments in favour of Anand. India boasts some 34 grandmasters, a respectably high number, a number of international masters and other titled players; both men and women. IM Anup Deshmukh has noted that Carlsen is half Anand’s age and that he possesses almost 100 rating points above the world champion, which makes him the favourite. “But Anand will be a very dangerous opponent for Carlsen,” Deshmukh argues. “Anand’s advantage is that he reads his opponent very well, like Fischer.”
Grandmaster MR Lalith Babu thinks Anand will catch Carlsen with opening preparation.
Grandmaster Krishnan Sashikiran comments: “My guess is it shall be an extremely hard fought match. Of course, I am rooting for Anand to win. Anand has more experience in match play, whereas Magnus Carlsen has youth on his side. Also many things depend upon form as well. I think both players know how to get into their best shape during the match.
Definitely the match should generate a big boom for chess in India, which should provide an ideal platform for many young kids to take up the game. As a chess fan I am eagerly awaiting the highest form of chess competition to be held for the first time in India.”
Anand and Carlsen know each other very well. In addition to clashing 29 times (20 draws, six Anand wins and three Carlsen victories), Carlsen was part of the Anand training team of 2008 when the Indian grandmaster defeated Vladimir Kramnik of Russia at Bonn. Carlsen’s 2,870 (the highest ever) has emerged from some phenomenal results and explains a lot about his ability to fight for a victory in almost every situation. The publication Firstpost describes Carlsen in this way: “The stamina, ability to calculate, to play very long games tiring out opposition, almost hypnotizing opponents into making mistakes have been crucial to his stupendous success. And going by current form, the Norwegian holds a definite edge over Anand.”
The Times of India quotes Carlsen when he won the 2013 Candidates tournament that made him a challenger for Anand: “The difference is, I’m winning tournaments and Anand is holding on to this title. It will be an interesting clash between these two ideas as to what constitutes the best player in the world.”
Carlsen is certainly not influenced by his recent victories over the world champion. Perhaps a little because they increased his confidence, but he is certainly not overestimating his chances. Carlsen believes Anand has immeasurable experience in world championship matches and that he would play at his best in his hometown of Chennai. So it comes down to an unstoppable force (Carlsen) clashing with an immovable object, as quoted by the Times of India.
The line is famous and was quoted in Harold Schonberg’s book Grandmasters of Chess. Schonberg, a former New York Times chess columnist and Pulitzer prize winner, used it to describe the Capablanca-Alekhine world championship match of 1927. The battle promises to be epic! May the better contender win!
In local chess, the preliminaries for the national senior championship begin today at the Carifesta Spors Complex from 10 am. The tournament will identify seven players to oppose Taffin Khan for the championship title.
