Wow!!!! What a comeback by Anand When everyone has written him off and a Chess Journalist even went so far to say that "Anand is the only one sure enough not to come out of the Candidates and if that didnt happen he has no understanding of Chess" Well apparently he has no understanding... Even Carlsen and Kasparov said that they expect Aronian or Kramnik as favorites to win it but both really crumbled under pressure. Aronian basically disappeared in the second half of the tournament and Kramink kind of had a brain freeze against his old rival Topalov and he was looking solid till then.They didnt even shake hands.Wonder when these two grown men will be a sport and forget something that happened 6 years ago (toiletgate). But the fact that they traded wins with white was nice to see but seriously atleast shake hands next time!!!!.
The Commentary Team
Peter Heine Nielsen a long time Second of Anand and now a second of Carlsen is the commentator for this exciting tournament along with his wife Victoria and they both were really good. An opening specialist like nielsen was really incisive in his analysis of the opening preparations by players and almost predicted the moves by them. It is always nice to do commentary of the game you love along with your wife. Lucky Guy !!!.
The Contender
Like Everyone I though there are only two players who seriously had a chance of winning the Candidates Aronian and Kramnik World No 2 and World No 3 at the start of the tournament respectively. Even Topalov had a good couple of years winning the Fide Grand Prix. But Aronian really looked like a class apart from other players being the only player in the 2800 Club.
He started on a wrong note losing to Anand but fought back brilliantly and was even stevens with Anand at the halfway stage. But I think the tie break rule got to him and he took some unnecessary risks and lost his way just like he did in London last year.
I like Aronian infact think that he is far better tactician than Anand or anyother player in the world and him playing in a World Championship match would be great to see... But anyways he will always be the favorite in the coming tournaments as well, he will get his chance soon.
The Old Guard
What was interesting to note in the press conference after his draw with Karjakin which ensured that Anand has won the Candidates. A journo asked him about his hesitance to participate in the tournament feeling that he would probably just would be turning up for the event with no real chances..... His reply was really fascinating. He said that soon after his loss to Carlsen in Chennai (which I watched live)when he was playing in the London rapids. Anand invited Kramnik for dinner after his loss to Hikaru
Anand said that he meant to cheer Kramnik up but was surprised during the dinner, he was being cheered up by Kramnik to participate in the Candidates and not to give up yet... It was really touching to see now two really veteran players who for all sense and purpose are long time rivals, ex-world chmapions and still have the magnanimity to cheer each other up when they feel down. Anand said that this encounter helped him to take the decision to participate in the Candidates. What a decision it was.
What a story it is that Anand making a comeback at the age of 44 to win the Candidates. Interesting to note that he has won this Candidates event after a gap of 19 Years when he won the right to face Kasparov in 1995.This is really a great story eventhough I feel that he is not going to win against World Champion Carlsen but still to make a statement that he is still here should really rejuvenate others like Kramnik, Aronian and Topalov to still keep on fighting.
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