Within a fortnight after his World championship match against Norway’s Magnus Carlsen in Russia, Viswanathan Anand is gearing up for a battle of another kind. He is one of the biggest attractions at the London Chess Classic, beginning in London on December 6.
The former World champion from Chennai is seeded second in the six-player field, behind Fabiano Caruana of Italy. Hikaru Nakamura (United States), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), Anish Giri (Holland) and Michael Adams (England) are the others.
Before the main event – to be played over the classical time control – they would also play in a unique open rapid tournament, which would also include amateur players. So, the lucky few could meet their heroes across the chessboard.
Another interesting feature of this year’s London Chess Classic is a doubles event that will have Anand and others teaming up with individuals from business. Two players of a team would have to make alternate moves without consultation.
