Dethroned world chess champion Viswanathan Anand last Sunday earned the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen for the world championship title by winning the rigorous Candidates chess tournament. Anand played unbeaten throughout, winning three games and drawing the rest in the 14 round tournament. In the vital 12th round game, when a victory would have sealed the fate of the leading contenders, Anand decided not to tempt fate, avoided a risky route to a possible victory and settled instead for a tame draw against Russia’s Dimitry Andreikin. In that action-filled game, over-burdened with tactical combinations, Anand felt that he had winning chances. The subsequent computer analysis demonstrated that he was right. Afterwards he explained 
his decision: “I was already very tired. The game had taken a lot of energy. If something goes wrong here, I thought, I didn’t see anything terribly clear [to win the game].” He went for the draw, therefore, and maintained his one point lead. Andreikin described the draw as a “miracle salvation’’ for him.
Following his sensational victory at the Candidates, Anand has jumped five places to become the World No 3 in the latest rating list released by FIDE, the world chess governing body. Anand (2785), is ranked immediately behind Carlsen (2881) and Levon Aronian (2812).
Anand would have to display superb form if he wants to rate his chances as ‘good’ against Carlsen. Immediately after winning the Candidates, Anand addressed the media. Here are some excerpts:
1. Performance in the Candidates- “I decided to take it game by game and see what happens. It seemed that the other participants were more nervous than me. I was the only undefeated person of the tournament and that made the difference.”
2. Getting his rhythm back – “A good result like this is like oxygen. There is more enthusiasm, more optimism, and the emotions are all positive.”
3. Age as a factor – “It clearly is. But since it is not something you can change, I don’t keep thinking about it. Its more for the observer than the player.”
4. Carlsen world championship match up – “Thoughts are inevitable. I have some on how to do better and what to work on.”
