The Hindu : Sport : ‘It’s a great victory’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 01, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport

‘It’s a great victory’

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: “It is a great victory, greater than when he won it earlier,” said Manuel Aaron, the first Indian International Master on Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship success in Mexico.

“This time all the great players in the sport were there in Mexico whereas on the previous occasion a FIDE dispute was there,” Aaron, who is also the General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, said. He said for the quality of his play, Anand deserved to win. “He was able to come back from bad positions and even earn victory from lost positions,” he said.

Aaron said chess is a sport where the peak performance of a player usually comes in the late 30s and Anand was just there. “Experience has taught him to be aware of the danger ahead and think wiser,” he said.

Principal Correspondent adds from Hyderabad

Predictably everyone in Andhra Pradesh praised Anand. P. Harikrishna and Koneru Humpy joined the others in hailing his performance.

Harikrishna said: “It’s a fantastic feeling. Anand dominated right through the preliminary rounds. Remaining undefeated is a feat only he is capable of.

High-level preparation

“Those early wins highlighted his high level of preparation. Though the later games were tough, his class was evident for he has a reputation of being able to save games even under crisis.

“Winning a World championship in the unified format featuring the likes of Leko, Kramnik, Gelfand is something special.

“To cap it all, being the World No.1 and the World Champion is a rare feat. Hope he will cross the magical Elo 2800-mark after this brilliant victory. This title should inspire all of us to produce special performances in the coming days.”

Remarkable

Koneru Humpy said, “He has the uncanny knack of producing a unique performance under pressure. He is truly a remarkable sportsperson. It’s always a treat to watch on the board. Winning without losing is more special. He continues to inspire all of us.”

“A fabulous victory,” said Lanka Ravi. “It once again showed why Anand is so highly rated. Winning the world championship twice in the space of seven years is not a joke. The intensity of his preparations and zeal to be a cut above the rest is what separates him from the rest of the crowd. It is a glorious double treat for all chess lovers in general and Indians in particular.”

President applauds

PTI adds

President Pratibha Patil congratulated Viswanatahan Anand on Sunday.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha L.K. Advani also offered his best wishes to Anand.

“Anand has done India proud and by winning the coveted title for the second time in his long and illustrious chess career,” Advani said.

“Coming soon after the success of Indian cricket team in Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, Anand’s victory has added to India’s glory in international sports,” he said.

Anand’s mother Susheela said, “Vishy informed of his second world title at 1.20 this morning.”

“With a choking voice, Anand said ‘Amma, I have won. I am the world champion for the second time,”’ she said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail