JOIN US'Chess pride of our nations'
Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded Russian and Indian chess schools that produced players like Indian World Champion Viswanathan Anand.
Anand, who beat Israeli challenger Boris Gelfand to win his fifth World title, met the Russian leader at his Moscow residence here on Thursday.
“In India and Russia and in the former Soviet Union, chess schools are probably the best in the world,” Putin told Anand. “Chess has always been a source of pride for our nations.”
Anand won Wednesday’s rapid-fire round of four chess matches with one win and three ties, after their marathon 12-match series ended in stalemate, with five drawn ties and one win each.
“You went one-on-one, that was impressive,” Putin said.
Saying that he enjoyed the Russian hospitality, the 42-year-old Anand recognised the role played by the Soviet Union in his formative years.
“I benefitted a lot from playing chess in Russian Cultural Center in Chennai and my second Grandmaster norm was also made at the Cultural center in New Delhi.
“The connection with Russia is quite deep, as I also played a lot of tournaments here while growing up.”
"So we brought this on ourselves!" Putin remarked in jest.
Gelfand, who grew up in Belarusian capital Minsk, tagged along for the visit and remarked Russia was regaining its place on the world chess stage.
“In the last few years Russia, and Moscow in particular, has returned to its position as the capital of the chess world,” he said. “This match, I think, was the best-organised chess match in history. It will push the development of chess.”
Anand has held the undisputed title since October 2008, when he defeated Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn. He defended it in 2010 by beating Bulgarian opponent Veselin Topalov 6.5-5.5 in Sofia.
Gelfand, 43, gained the right to become the world title contender after a win last May against Russia’s Alexander Grischuk at a contenders’ tournament in Kazan, Russia.
Russian billionaire and Gelfand’s school friend Andrey Filatov paid $7 million from his own pocket to hold the event in one of the halls of the Tretyakov Gallery before some 400 spectators.