Vijay Kumar : Anand this is a remarkable achievement by you. Fourth in Mainz, fifth in a row and seventh overall, how does it dawn on you?

Anand: Well I just take every year as it comes I think the main thing is not to think about those things later but obviously now that it is finish I can say it is fantastic both my record in Mainz and in Corsica is very nice. I hope to keep it going as long as it is possible.

Vijay Kumar: Well having been reaffirmed as the best player on the planet in rapid again, what do u think others are lacking.

Anand: I don’t know some how each time I find that my record in rapid is very good but I find that each time its just a tough battle …I don’t know if the others are lacking something . 

Vijay Kumar: Most of the followers of chess believe that u r the best player in the World today as Kasparov plays very little and is happy sitting with the number 1 status….Ur comments? 

Anand : I don’t know if it is happening with it but it is clearly ok he needs something new to motivate him and it is unfortunate that he is just not playing and it is also not clear if he wants to play. Well I am not criticizing him for it but I just make a point that ok if you are not playing the ranking system should reflect that. That’s all ….obviously if he gets a match any time soon than he will play that otherwise in fact it is a very very long period of inactivity. I feel my winning the OSCAR this year was correct and essentially it was between me and Svidler and I feel ok after Cap dAge where I beat him it was like a tie break between us and I think this year I have got chances because its going well but I think the main thing again Dortmund and Mainz together it was fantastic for me to win both in the same tour. 

Vijay Kumar: You are in brilliant form of late….How about your best, is it still to come?

Anand: I hope so basically I am enjoying chess and enjoying it from day to day and I think that’s the main thing and it 
shows in my game also . I know the feeling when you are not motivated and it is completely different it is going smoothly so I am very happy. 

Vijay Kumar: Chess wise U r not aging at all, is age an important factor with these 12-13 year old GMs these days? What do u think makes a great player?

Anand: I think it is definitely a factor and it is an important one there is no question about that but obviously it is not the only factor and also I do pay a lot of attention to my fitness. I think when you are younger you can do away with it but when you cross 32 you need to be very fit to be able to take the exertion that comes with these games and the tension. So I try to do as much physical training as possible . Obviously it is quite shocking that I have to play quite often 13 years old or 15 years old but ok that’s what make chess also very interesting. 

Vijay Kumar: How about the Chess situation in India.

Anand: I am looking forward to play in the Olympiad . I will get a chance to meet and spend a lot of time with my colleagues. We have met and were thrilled to be together but this will be a nice two to three week interaction and I am looking forward to that and I hope we will do well at the Olympiad
Anand Photo 5

Anand Finally lead the Indian Team at the Chess Olympiad in CALVIA, Spain