Anand wants to be world champion again in next year's edition

Chennai, Oct 8: Ambition still drives GM 'Vishy' Anand to achieve greater heights in the 'world of 64 squares', chess for which he has a great passion since he began playing from the age of six: he is raring to become the world champion again.

Interacting with the media and the participants in a programme ''Anand vs Everybody'', in his role of Global Ambassador for differently abled people being cared for by an NGO'Vidya Sagar' here, Anand, who had first won the world championship title in 2000 against Shirov in Teheran, said ''I very much want to be the world champion again.'' Anand's response came promptly to a question ''do you still have the hunger for the world title?'' ''Yes, very much'', the Chennai Grand Master shot back when the query was shot at him.

Anand said that among his fortcoming assignments after the five day break back home here, the event he is looking forward to most is the world championship event in October next year in Mexico.

''This would be the most important event for me. I'll train hard for Mexico'', Anand, who was initiated into chess by his mother as a six year-old boy, explained.

There are a number of important events like the Corus championships and the Linares event. But the Mexico event is the most important for me'', he added.

Asked if he thought enough talent is emerging from India and the world's youngest Grand Master Parimarajan Negi, another prodigy emerging from India, Anand said that he had watched Negi playing in a tournament almost two years ago. ''Over the last year he made a lot of progress. He appeared to be vulnerable in 2005. Now he is winning'', Anand observed.

Anand said that although he stays in Spain, he has kept track of the developments in the chess world in India.

'' I try to keep myself informed. Our level is going up and there is lot of depth now. Negi is spearheading this. There are a lot of them coming up like Sreenath, Shanmugham and Tanya Sachdeva'', he said.

Asked whether in hindsight he thought that he could have taken to someother sport as chess was not as rewarding as cricket or tennis, Anand said ''chess has been a rewarding game for me. You take to whatever sport that catches your fancy. For me it was chess'', he observed.

''In hindsight, yes, possibly there are a few sports, I would have chosen'', he added, without actually naming any.

Anand said that these days if one wished to make a mark in any sport, he/she has to start at quite young age. ''Champions are younger these days'', he said, adding that one should not give up studies early.

'' You must go through education '', Anand added.

Asked how was it that he found time to participate in chess games with the public for social causes when none of the other Grand Masters do so, Anand said ''I think it's important to play games like this.'' ''Basically I do it to take chess to the masses'', Anand averred.

Anand also fielded a few technical questions on chess asked by some of those who took part in the simultaneous competition with him.

UNI