Magnus Carlsen on Saturday dethroned Viswanathan Anand to become the new world chess champion in Chennai. During the press conference Anand said that the fifth game was the turning point as he let the advantage slip. Excerpts from the press conference:
Q: Your general review of the match?
Viswanathan Anand: I was trying to keep playing. At some point started to make mistakes. I simply blundered Qg5. I saw the same tactic for Qc5 but I simply put the queen on g5. And the same e5 happened. I simply don’t know the evaluation after that. This knight ending is very dangerous. As the match in general, it is clear that he dominated. At the start of the match I thought my chances depended on my ability to last long games without making a lot of mistakes. This year I had lot of problems creeping into my play. I kind of try to pay some attention to that. In the end it was in vain. The way I lost the fifth game is the way I thought I could not afford to lose. A fine position in the
opening, then a slip. The fifth game was a heavy blow. I really hoped not to be afraid of him in long games but simply match him. This was
not to be.
After that it became worse and worse. I guess when it rains it pours. It is fair enough to congratulate him. My mistakes did not happen by
themselves. Clearly he managed to provoke them. Full credit to him.
Q: When did it go wrong?
Viswanathan Anand: Things look different at hindsight. At that moment I did not attach excessive significance. I was disappointed that I did
not call the position right. Even so it was only one moment when I can take on b2. The other moment I don’t think was that serious. It was a
little disappointing then. As far as I am concerned, game five was when it all started to go wrong.
Q:Would you have chosen a better successor than Magnus?
Viswanathan Anand: I did not chose him!
Q:Not being champion. Does it take the pressure off you? The monkey is off your back?
Viswanathan Anand: It takes the pressure off you! At the same time to want it is also excessive.
Q:We expect you to win the candidates and play Carlsen next year?
Viswanathan Anand: I want to first get some rest. Take stock of what has happened. Come to terms with everything here. At the end of the
day, my play in the match was a big disappointment. I did not manage to achieve any of the things I aimed for. I assume I will play in the
Candidates. You are going too fast. I will take rest and take it from there.
Q:What is your message to your fans? The whole country was expecting you to win?
Viswanathan Anand: Obviously I am disappointed with my play. Despite lot of support somehow my play never got going. I am sorry for them
that it wasn’t a better match.
Q: Is there anything you regret from things off the board, for example in terms of opening choices or otherwise?
Viswanathan Anand: I had a feeling that this match will be about execution. I had any strategy I wanted. Executing it, holding at the
board, seeing it through was its all about. I tried to pay lot of attention to that. This year in tournaments, so many things have gone
wrong. I felt that would be the crucial area. Game five was the real low point for me. After that at least you can say that I was
depressed. I didn’t manage to understand either him or me! I was simply unable to execute my strategy.
