There always have been discussions in chess circles on how Anand would have fared against Fischer. Though not many people are aware of it, a match between these two, a former champion and the reigning champion, was very much on the cards but for busy schedules and Fischer's illness.

Anand, who met Fischer in Iceland in 2006,  says Fischer had expressed a keen desire to play a match against him in India. Thereafter both exchanged e-mails but because of Anand's busy schedule (his schedule is more or less fixed a year in advance) it became difficult to find dates.

In fact, Icelandic daily newspaper Morgunbladid published a story where one of Fischer's friends had stated the player’s desire to take on Anand in India. He also said the ex-champion wanted to have the contest using the Fischer Random or Chess 960 variation ( The computer shuffles the pieces and the king, queen, bishop, knights and rooks are placed randomly in contrast to regular chess. There are 960 such possible positions and hence the name Chess 960).

Fischer last played in public in 1992 in Yugoslavia against Boris Spassky in defiance of international sanctions.
Thereafter Nigel Short in 2001 claimed that he had played a few games on the internet and the player’s style indicated that it was Fischer.

Peter Leko revealed to this scribe in 2001 that he did play a few games of Fischer Random Chess with Fischer in Hungary.

Anand's wife Aruna, who had accompanied him when he went to meet Fischer, had this to say about the meeting: “He was kind and spoke briefly to me and knew a lot about India but I could make out that he was more keen on talking to Anand personally. I did request him for a personal photograph but he just smiled and refused. I just wish we had that one photograph of him and Anand for our personal collection.”