Anand’s retirement plans: truth and fiction

Talking to American Grandmaster Maurice Ashley about his topsy-turvy play, Anand said, “I think I was playing just mental. I think I shouldn’t bother playing like this. It makes no sense”. When Ashley asked if he wasn’t pleased with his play, Anand further added that “there’s no point playing chess like this.”

Anand finished eighth in a 10-player event with a score of 8 from 18. And the jury was out to comment about his retirement plans, though what he said was purely on his performance in the three games. 

Anand’s wife Aruna felt the reporter had no knowledge of emotion in sport. “Anand had lost a winning game against Vachier and subsequently lost three games and said playing like this made no sense. It should be in the context of the games and the results not as a statement in solitude,” said Aruna. 

On the last day, Anand played the French number one, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Anand went on to demolish the Frenchman’s opening by coming up with a crushing bishop sacrifice. Unfortunately, the Indian faltered inexplicably not once, but on several occasions; and what should have been a glorious victory turned out to be a bitter defeat.

However, the Chennai champion bounced back against Magnus Carlsen. Vishy defended with stone cold nerves, and didn’t let the position go out of hand. Carlsen merely had 13 seconds on his clock. Anand made the most of it by finding a neat maneuver to exchange queens and come out on a very strong position. However, Anand slipped at the very end in this game as well and allowed Carlsen to get away with a draw. It showed Anand was capable of playing quality chess.