V Anand can't wait to defend world championship title

Chess great Viswanathan Anand talks to Manisha Mohite as he gears up to defend his world championship title against Bulgarian Veselin Topalov in Sofia

Twenty years, six World Chess Championship finals behind him and gearing up to defend his title for the third time, Viswanathan Anand talks about the fixation and to some extent the obsession with the opponent and how important it is to psychologically gear oneself up before and after a match. Both Anand and his opponent Veselin Topalov have been training hard for this match that gets underway at Sofia from April 23. And, as is expected, both have maintained secrecy in their training methods and choice of seconds. In an exclusive chat with Sunday MiD DAY, Anand talks about the mental pressures before a World Championship.

Does the frequency with which World Championships have been conducted in the last few years taken away their charm?
Actually you get motivated. After Mexico I couldn't imagine playing a match but after Bonn I thought another match looming up even before it sunk in that I have won. But once you start working, the curiosity creeps in and you start wondering, what will he do? What has he got? How will he respond? Somehow the juices start flowing. And after just one week of doing that, it seems that it is the most natural thing to do. Each challenge has its charm and you need to have a specific skill set for each of these challenges and herein lies the charm.

Is there added pressure as a defending Champion?
In 2008, I went to Bonn as defending champion and now will be doing so again. Somehow I don't think about all that. Once the match starts, it is just you against him.

With intensive preparation for the same opponent, does it hamper preparation for other events?
Most definitely. You understand that there is a match looming up and you feel every game you play is viewed against that backdrop.

In 07-08 your focus was on Kramnik. Now it is Topalov (almost to the point of obsession). How much does it affect your personal life? How does Aruna take it?
Matches have a way of taking over your life. It is difficult to focus on anything else when you are preparing to play. All the time before Bonn, I was thinking about Kramnik, trying to guess the sort of openings to play and everything else in general. The preparation for the entire year has to be exclusive for the match. That's why I think I had to take a long rest after the event. My body had to start unwinding and most importantly, I had to get out of this fixation. That's very important before I start working again. I guess it will be the same after the match with Topalov. Aruna is an integral part of my core team so she understands. But generally after a tough challenge, we take off and have some time for ourselves.

How are your preparations for WCC? What is your routine like?
We have been working hard. Long hours, detailed analysis, general preparation and of course some physical training also. (Would rather not comment on it)

How do you look at Topalov as an opponent? How would you compare him with Kramnik?
Topalov as an opponent is very demanding. He shows a lot of energy on the board and is able to squeeze a position to its maximum. He is a tenacious and a tireless fighter and has played some great events like San Luis 2005. Kramnik has a different style and his approach to chess is different. But both are world class.

Wouldn't you have been happier with a neutral venue... India perhaps?
That would be a point to be reflected on after the match. For now, let us say I am only working on giving my best in Sofia.

With the 'Toilet Gate' scandal in 2006, are you apprehensive about this edition? Danailov has started sort of sledging with the comment that Topalov won't offer or accept draws...
Bulgaria has hosted chess events. I would think both Veselin and myself would strive hard to show our best chess and restrict the battle on the board. Like I said, I am not really following who said what, so I cannot comment. I would be happy if people followed the match and took away from it a great experience of watching two players play top-level chess.

You are one champ who has refrained at all times from pre-tournament hitting? Do you look back at those remarks after the completion of event?
After the event it does not matter who said what. Only result matters. If you win you can laugh about it, and if you don't then there are plenty of other things to worry about. I prefer to play my brand of chess and not spend too much energy on verbal battles.

Now that you have won WCC in three formats, which one do you think is best? (You can say without any bias)
I have stopped following the argument. I guess when you win a particular format that seems to be the best. Each format has its advantages no doubt. In the end a format that attracts attention and presents chess well is a format that is sustainable. So as a chess player you have to play it.