The Hindu : Sport / Chess : ‘This win has its own sweetness’

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‘This win has its own sweetness’

Sports Reporter

— Photo: M. Vedhan

A DAY TO REMEMBER: K. Viswanathan and Sushila Viswanathan savour Anand’s remarkable victory.

Chennai: There’s been little respite from the congratulatory messages, but K. Viswanathan and Sushila Viswanathan, parents of Viswanathan Anand, are savouring one of the finest additions to Anand’s remarkable roster of achievements.

The 38-year-old’s win over Russian Vladimir Kramnik in the 12-game championship match made him the first player to claim World Championship titles in three different formats — the 128-player knockout format, the eight-player double round robin format, and the traditional matchplay format.

Anand’s father Viswananthan said the win in the matchplay format had a unique significance. “Obviously every win is special, but this came in a one-one encounter against Kramnik, who had defeated Garry Kasparaov in the same format in 2000. This adds flavour to the win,” he told The Hindu.

Despite Kramnik’s comeback that earned him the tenth game, Anand was characteristically unflappable in drawing the 11th game. “It’s not unusual to suffer a loss in this format. When you see two of the best players, you expect tough competition. Anand put up an excellent performance after that. This win is the result of some good team work,” said Viswanathan.

Unlike his jubilant fans and well-wishers, Anand’s predominant emotion was of relief. “He spoke to us after the win, and seemed relieved that the anxiety was over. He can relax now,” his father revealed.

Anand’s mother Sushila Viswanathan, the force responsible for his initiation into the sport, added, “it was a tough fight, and it was against a player like Kramnik. This win has its own sweetness.”

Great victory

The Union Sports Minister, M. S. Gill, said: “I congratulate Anand for a great victory. He is now the sole champion of the world and a great credit to India. What is more, he is modest and a true gentleman and a credit to India’s culture.”

Mr. R.S. Pawar, Chairman, NIIT, which has had a long-standing relationship with Anand, said: “We congratulate NIIT Mind Champion Vishy Anand on becoming the undisputed World chess champion.”

True champion

The president of the All India Chess Federation, N. Srinivasan, conveyed his congratulations while lauding Anand for being the nation’s true champion. “We could not have asked for a better Diwali gift to the entire nation from him,” he said in a press release.

D.V. Sundar, AICF Secretary, was lavish in his praise. “He is a (colossus) and a one-man army of Indian sport. We could not have asked for anything better.”

V. Kameswaran, India’s first International Arbiter, joined the rest in offering his greetings.

“I congratulate our sportsman par excellence for his spectacular win.”

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