Vishwanathan Anand is World No. 1 and world champion in chess. Many of us know that the Chennai star can move the chess pieces expertly. In an off-beat interview to this newspaper, Anand fields a variety of questions, many of them not related to the mind game.
Earliest sporting memory: The first event I played when I was six. I remember losing my first three games and won the fourth game because my rival didn't turn up!
Other sports he watches on TV: Football and tennis.
Life without chess: Don't know. Would have tried to get good at it, perhaps.
Memorable sporting moment: A game against Tkachiev when around 2,000 people at the Kremlin started applauding. It was a honour for a non-Russian.
Worst sporting moment: Have long forgotten.
Sporting heroes: (Mikhail) Tal and (Boby) Fischer.
Favourite venue: Mainz.
Event he would pay to see: Viswanathan Anand play rapid chess. I have been told that it is the fastest action.
Most frequent question: ‘What is your favourite chess piece?' If they saw all my answers they would be confused.
His choice for one change in chess: Fair rules for all. Do away with privileges for a select few.
Sporting motto: Just play your chess.
Favourite dinner guest, and why: U2. Apart from that, Bono has interesting views about the world.
Best teacher: My mistakes.
Most admired player: Tal.
Favourite holiday spot: Tough to choose one. Current favourite is SA.
Other interests in life: Astronomy, reading and music.
Advice to youngsters: Take all the opportunities and challenges that come your way. You have to enjoy whatever you do.
Pet name:
Should I really answer this? OK, Simba.
Biggest extravaganza: My telescopes.
What he never leaves home without: My laptop.
Craziest thing he has ever done: Once the car I was travelling in broke down a few minutes before my game. As we were in Moscow I had no idea what the driver was saying but he wouldn't allow us to open the door. The driver gesticulated that the car would be repaired.
At some point it became comical as we were right in the middle of traffic. Concerned that I would be late for the game, I flung the door open and started running through the traffic. The poor driver gave me a chase and stopped me by the red light. Thankfully, I reached the venue in time and managed to win.
Best trait: My intuition.
And worst: I think too quickly. Well, that's what makes me a good chess player but at times gets me in trouble.
One bad habit he wishes to get rid of: It always comes back. Sometimes I play too fast and can't control it.
Worst nightmare: Preparing for the wrong opponent and I have already done it!
First game at international level: I remember seeing all the Soviet players and think "Wow, those guys must know everything."
What is the routine for evening games: Usually I wake up just in time to catch breakfast. Then, I do some work for a hour or two. Have lunch by about 2 pm and sleep for an hour. Get ready for the game and go over my notes. Sometimes, I like to listen to music just before a game. In the night, I analyse how I played that evening. Then I may go to the gym. Have a relaxed dinner and then quickly decide what I should play the next day. I really like to watch a movie or some comedy shows before I go to sleep.
His best present, and why: Aruna got me a telescope for my birthday. I remember telling her how cool it would be to have such a nice one. I never realised that she already bought it. We met up in Berlin for my birthday and she had even managed to bake a cake and bring the telescope all the way from Madrid to surprise me. The funny thing was I arrived early and Aruna refused to let me in to keep the present as a surprise.
Favourite author: I like reading a variety of books. I enjoyed the Dan Brown series. William Dalrymple is also very enjoyable. His Last Mughal was a very good read.
Childhood ambitions: To trick my opponent at blitz. Each win meant one comic book and one ice cream. My parents would buy me Tintin and Obelix.
Greatest influence on his life: I don't think anyone has influenced me greatly. I tend to learn from others but do my own thing.
Bottomline: Someone who made playing chess look so easy.