Word: anand
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Russian Garry Kasparov successfully defended--for the fifth time--his world champion title in chess, forcing India's Viswanathan Anand to a draw in their 18th game and picking up $900,000 in prize money...
...Anand is a worthy opponent in both ability and charisma. Though the game was devised in India some 2,000 years ago, his nation has produced surprisingly few chess geniuses. Anand, raised in Madras, became India's first grand master when he was only 17. Still boyish-looking at 25, Vishy--as he is familiarly known--is one of India's most famous sporting heroes. Yet he carries himself with an almost Gandhi-like humility. According to S. Lourduraj, one of his high school math teachers, "He was gentle with his classmates and respectful to his teachers. That...
...like Kasparov and unlike his persona, Anand the player is aggressive. At one time he was so fast he was known as the Lightning Kid. Now he is called Speed King, though. in recent years he has learned to be deliberate. Anand will need to be if he hopes to defeat the champion, who beat him in five of their nine previous matches. "Kasparov can be had," says 1992 U.S. champion Patrick Wolff, one of Anand's seconds. "Vishy is still learning, while I think Gary has peaked." Asked how such a humble fellow can be so forceful...
...their four games so far in the current match, King Kong and Speed King have played to four draws. Anand, playing white, actually had Kasparov on the ropes last Thursday, but then Anand turned cautious and let an opportunity on Move 20 get away, much to the disappointment of some of the observers. "He should have sacrificed the bishop," said one sweat-shirted expert. "Maybe he lost his nerve...
...maybe Anand was just afraid that New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani would burst into the room and move a piece for him. The very first match on Sept. 11 started 15 minutes late to accommodate the mayor, who then made the ceremonial first move for Anand. Giuliani pushed the c pawn two squares forward. Vishy, somewhat horrified, wanted e-4. Even though the mayor had taken his hand off the piece, Anand was allowed to change the move--flouting the most basic rule of chess. But, hey, that's show...