Chennai will be the centre of attention of the chess universe from November 6 to 26 when it hosts the world championship series between reigning champion Viswanathan Anand and 22-year-old Norwegian challenger Magnus Carlsen.
Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa’s decision to bring the gladiatorial contest to Chennai has thrilled Anand, who is the rightful owner of the title “Tiger from Madras”.
An intrusive media, heightened expectations, the pressure of being the current champion and facing the strongest player in the world aren’t issues Anand is overly burdened with as he gets a rare chance to prove his mastery over 64 squares on home soil.
The five-time champion greeted Ms Jayalalithaa’s decision to spend `29 crores for the big-ticket event in Chennai with customary composure.
“It’s great to hear Tamil Nadu has come forward to stage the world championship in Chennai. Now it’s up to the All-India Chess Federation and Fide to take the tournament forward,” Anand, an alumnus of Don Bosco School and Loyola College in Chennai, told this newspaper on Monday.