IN the first week of October, Viswanathan Anand will swap his suits for playing gear as he takes part for Ganges Grandmasters in the second edition of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League.
Over the last few years, the five-time world champion has slowly winded down his playing activities and has started to play more of an administerial role (he's the deputy president of FIDE, the world governing body).
In an interaction with this daily, the 54-year-old speaks on why the 2024 edition of the GCL, why he wasn't tempted to play in the Olympiad, the Indian teams' chances at Budapest and the battle between D Gukesh and Ding Liren. Excerpts:
On the second edition of the Global Chess League
Teams have been a reshuffled a bit and I'm very excited. Just looking forward, trying to get ready. It was pleasant experience to play (in it) last year. There was a new vibe, from the presentation of the players to the entry and the way the games were staged. Everything was dynamic and interesting from a players' point of view and from a spectators point of view. It contributed to a very good atmosphere. I think there are many disappointed teams from season 1 and Ganges is one of them. Two days before the end, we thought we had qualified and it was only a question of who we were going to face in the final. Suddenly, we fell to third or fourth. So obviously we have that to correct.
On regrets if a tournament like this wasn't there during his teens or 20s
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 11, 2024-Ausgabe von The Morning Standard.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 11, 2024-Ausgabe von The Morning Standard.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Trump's Attacker Had Planned To Recruit Afghans To Fight For Ukraine
Wesley Routh has criminal record, posted on politics, donated to Democratic party
Worst Typhoon In 75 Years Brings Shanghai To A Halt
BEBINCA, the strongest typhoon to have hit China's Shanghai city in 75 years, on Monday left a trail of destruction, bringing the megacity with a 25 million population to a grinding halt.
Shah Reaffirms Govt's Fight Against Terrorism
HOME Minister Amit Shah, while addressing poll rallies in Jammu on Monday, said the Assembly polls in J&K is a fight between those who abrogated Article 370 (BJP) and those who are claiming to bring it back (NC, PDP and Congress) and asserted that the Modi government will bury the terrorism so deep that it cannot rise again.
Returning Rishabh Under Spotlight
After missing out on Test cricket for almost two years, wicketkeeper-batter likely to make a return in the first Test vs Bangladesh
Nobel Laureate Slams UN For Silence, Inaction
JAILED Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi on Monday urged the international community to act to end the "oppression" of women in Iran, two years after the start of a women-led protest movement.
7 members enter race to become next IOC prez
THE International Olympic Committee published a list Monday of seven would-be candidates who are set to run for election in March to succeed outgoing president Thomas Bach for the next eight years.
City hearing a chance to clear name or taint their dominance
THE biggest challenge to Manchester City's Premier League dominance was due to start on Monday at a hearing into a slew alleged financial breaches.
ACT hockey: Harmanpreet's twin goals sink Korea; take India to final
SKIPPER Harmanpreet Singh's sublime form resulted in twin strikes as defending champions India entered the final of the Asian Champions Trophy with a clinical 4-1 win against South Korea in the semi-final here on Monday.
From tennis ball to pace sensation: Rana's journey
HE had not held a cricket ball in his hand until he turned 17 but only four years later Nahid Rana started hurrying world-class batters with his raw pace.
UNRAVELLING CHRONIC MIGRAINE IN TEENAGERS
DOES your teenage son or daughter often complain of persistent, throbbing headaches? Parents might easily attribute these headaches to stress, exhaustion, or lack of sleep.
