TWIC is 29. First issue 17th September 1994.
FIDE Women's World Chess Championship 2013 (Final Press)
Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen the post-match press conference
Mark Crowther - Friday 22nd November 2013
"What is the first thing you want to do after becoming the champion?" Carlsen didn't know so his sponsors threw him in a swimming pool. Photo © | http://www.nrk.no/sport/carlsen-kastet-i-bassenget-1.11374146
Viswanathan Anand followed by Magnus Carlsen attended the final game 10 press conference on 22nd November after Carlsen had won the match. It was a lively affair with some interesting comments as to the course of the match.
Anand spoke as to why he lost the match "At the start of the match I thought my chances depended on my ability to last long games without making a lot of mistakes. This year I had lot of problems creeping into my play. I kind of try to pay some attention to that. In the end it was in vain." and that "As far as I am concerned, game five was when it all started to go wrong.". "I had a feeling that this match will be about execution. I had any strategy I wanted. Executing it, holding at the board, seeing it through was its all about." "I was simply unable to execute my strategy." Anand said he would have to go away and think about things but for now he was planning to try and qualify to play Carlsen again next year via the Candidates.
Carlsen was please with game 10 "I think it was a nice fight and a worthy end to the match." and was unworried about a missed opportunity for a big advantage with 30.Nc3 "When I took on d6 [30.exd6] I missed something simple. I thought I was just winning with that. If I knew this move wasn't so good I would have taken some more time and perhaps found a better move and put even more pressure on him. That wasn't terribly impressive. Anyway, it doesn't feel very important now."
Worries about Chennai already dismissed by Carlsen before the match were unfounded: "I have been so happy with the way I had been treated here. Everything has been top notch. My every wish has been attended to. For my team as well. It has been beyond expectations that I have experienced in other places."
Turning point for Carlsen? "the first and third games I was little bit nervous and perhaps not quite ready for this big occasion. After game three and four I managed to settle in. I realised that I don't have to do differently from what I usually do. And that was the turning point." Later he extended the point "Basically game four gave me good feeling. I thought real good fighting game. Although I did not manage to win it I felt that I seized the initiative in the match and that he was as nervous and vulnerable as I was."
Carlsen didn't name his seconds apart from the high profile Jon Ludvig Hammer but thanked them all for their hard work.
Carlsen felt his approach to the match worked well: "I would like to take some responsibility for his mistakes. That's for sure. Its been like that for me for a long time. I just play and people crack under pressure. Even in world championship. That is what the history shows. We have to keep on pushing." ... "That is what I really wanted to do in this match. Make him sit at the board and play for long time."
Complete text and video below
Press Conference
After the tenth game, both players spoke to the media separately and were also together for a few minutes.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Your general review of the match?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) I was trying to keep playing. At some point started to make mistakes. I simply blundered Qg5. I saw the same tactic for Qc5 but I simply put the queen on g5. And the same e5 happened. I simply don't know the evaluation after that. This knight ending is very dangerous. As the match in general, it is clear that he dominated. At the start of the match I thought my chances depended on my ability to last long games without making a lot of mistakes. This year I had lot of problems creeping into my play. I kind of try to pay some attention to that. In the end it was in vain. The way I lost the fifth game is the way I thought I could not afford to lose. A fine position in the opening, then a slip. The fifth game was a heavy blow. I really hoped not to be afraid of him in long games but simply match him. This was not to be. After that it became worse and worse. I guess when it rains it pours. It is fair enough to congratulate him. My mistakes did not happen by themselves. Clearly he managed to provoke them. Full credit to him.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Carlsen has also joined up. It is an important moment in history. We have a new world champion. After 3-4 questions we can finish the Anand press conference.
Q: When did it go wrong?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) Things look different at hindsight. At that moment I did not attach excessive significance. I was disappointed that I did not call the position right. Even so it was only one moment when I can take on b2. The other moment I don't think was that serious. It was a little disappointing then. As far as I am concerned, game five was when it all started to go wrong.
Q: (T.N. Ragu, Deccan Chronicle) Would you have chosen a better successor than Magnus?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) I did not chose him!
Q: (Amit Karmarkar, The Times of India) Not being champion. Does it take the pressure off you? The monkey is off your back?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) It takes the pressure off you! At the same time to want it is also excessive.
Q: (Ashok Venugopal, New Indian Express) We expect you to win the candidates and play Carlsen next year?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) I want to first get some rest. Take stock of what has happened. Come to terms with everything here. At the end of the day, my play in the match was a big disappointment. I did not manage to achieve any of the things I aimed for. I assume I will play in the Candidates. You are going too fast. I will take rest and take it from there.
Q: (T.N. Ragu, Deccan Chronicle) What is your message to your fans? The whole country was expecting you to win?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) Obviously I am disappointed with my play. Despite lot of support somehow my play never got going. I am sorry for them that it wasn't a better match.
Q: (Peter Doggers, Chess Vibes) Is there anything you regret from things off the board, for example in terms of opening choices or otherwise?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) I had a feeling that this match will be about execution. I had any strategy I wanted. Executing it, holding at the board, seeing it through was its all about. I tried to pay lot of attention to that. This year in tournaments, so many things have gone wrong. I felt that would be the crucial area. Game five was the real low point for me. After that at least you can say that I was depressed. I didn't manage to understand either him or me! I was simply unable to execute my strategy.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Before Anand would leave, I would like Carlsen to say something about his opponent?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) Vishy's been world champion for so long. One of the greatest of all time. I am honoured to have played a match with him. Of course very very happy to get the better of him. I really hope he will be back in the candidates.
Magnus Carlsen took on questions after the tenth game. Here is the transcript:
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Once again congratulations on your victory. Can you say about the last game?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I was trying to play solidly in the opening. And I am pretty happy with what I got. Very solid position. No weaknesses. As the game went on he started to drift a bit I thought as long as there is no risk I should try and win it. At some point after the time control, the variations were simply getting too complicated. So I decided to shut it down and force a draw. I think it was a nice fight and a worthy end to the match.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) One additional question about the game. On move 30, you took on d6. Could you play instead 30.Nc3? Some spectators were asking that.
A: When I took on d6 I missed something simple. I thought I was just winning with that. If I knew this move wasn't so good I would have taken some more time and perhaps found a better move and put even more pressure on him. That wasn't terribly impressive. Anyway, it doesn't feel very important now.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) How do you feel to get this title?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) It feels good. It has been tough. Both here and in London. I have been treated very well here in India. I have been made to feel very comfortable and in general at some point I started to settle in and got the match into my strength towards the end. I think it has been a great event. I am really honoured and happy to have won it.
Q: (Paul Truong, USA) Fans are dying to know who are your seconds? Will we get them now?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) It is no secret that Norwegian Grand Master Ludvig Hammer has been working with me. For me he has done a great job as have the others who helped me. I am grateful to them for their hard work.
Q: Do you think Anand was prepared for a fight in game 6?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) He knew as he explained himself, he knew there were going to be fighting games. Basically game four gave me good feeling. I thought real good fighting game. Although I did not manage to win it I felt that I seized the initiative in the match and that he was as nervous and vulnerable as I was.
Q: (V Kameswaran, United News of India) Young Carlsen, you are having your birthday party on November 30. Where do you wish to celebrate? India or Norway.
A: (Magnus Carlsen) It has not been much in my mind lately. We will see.
Q: (Pratiksha Ghildial, BBC TV) Chess is a very niche game. Probably 90% of the audience even don't understand it. Do you think someone like you, who is young and dynamic can change that? Like broaden the appeal of the game.
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I think we see some signs of that in Norway. The match was shown on television. I know that a lot of people who don't play chess found it very interesting to follow. I really hope that this can cause some positives for the chess buffs in Norway and worldwide.
Q: Which was the turning point in this match?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I think game three, game four. That's the key. Game three was vulnerable moment for me. Really in game three and four I could sense that he was vulnerable as well. From that moment on I settled in and stopped worrying about the occasion and started playing chess as I usually do. That worked out pretty well.
Q: (T.N. Ragu, Deccan Chronicle) Magnus, you have a keen sense of history. Has the importance of your feat here sunk in yet?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I don't think I should be answering that question. I am very very happy to have won and completed this match. Let's write the history books later.
Q: (Kristian Madsen, Politiken) Your old coach (Simen) Agdestein said you radiated nervousness during the first few games. How is the spectacle of playing in the world championship affect your nerves contrary to ordinary tournaments?
A: Magnus Carlsen) As I said the first couple of games - the second game was a normal draw with black. But the first and third games I was little bit nervous and perhaps not quite ready for this big occasion. After game three and four I managed to settle in. I realised that I don't have to do differently from what I usually do. And that was the turning point.
Q: (Ashok Venugopal, New Indian Express) Before the start of the event, how many matches (games) did you thought you will win? Did you ever think it will go to game number twelve?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I never thought about that to be honest. I thought any result that had me win more games than Anand would be fine.
Q: (K Keerthivasan, The Hindu) Magnus, looking ahead, you are the world champion now. How important is the Chess Olympiad and it is happening in your own country (in 2014)?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I hopoe it is going to be a great event. I hope it will bring some attention to chess in the northern Norway and worldwide. As a team we don't have too high ambitions. We want to do well. It is going to fun to play for my home country again. It has been a long time there.
Q: (T.N. Ragu, Deccan Chronicle) When you were here in Chennai in August we asked about your girlfriend. You said you mind was only on the world championship. Now you have won it. Can you reveal the name of the lady in your life?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) We will see.
Q: (Ebenezer Joseph, Shubsandesh TV) Generally the trend is to work on the openings. Here you have worked on the endgames and tactics in one particular game. Your comments on that.
A: (Magnus Carlsen) Really I work on the openings before the tournament. I think the endgame, middlegame, calculating stuff it comes mostly with the tournament practice. In that sense I didn't do anything...
Q: Magnus, it seems that Vishy was not at his very best. He was nervous. He made one big blunder and some other mistakes. To what extend you think you were responsible for it depending upon the situation?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I would like to take some responsibility for his mistakes. That's for sure. Its been like that for me for a long time. I just play and people crack under pressure. Even in world championship. That is what the history shows. We have to keep on pushing. Eventually, usually things go right. Obviously the blunders that he made, each of them are of course unusual, but really is when put under pressure. That is what I really wanted to do in this match. Make him sit at the board and play for long time.
Q: (Amit Karmarkar, The Times of India) How much of the battle was on the board and off the board?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I think most of the games were decided on the board. I did not feel too much of the psychological warfare. May be there was some. I did not notice it.
Q: (FIDE Press Officer) You are the world champion now. What is the first thing you want to do after becoming the champion?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) We will see. I don't know.
Q: () You won the world championship in India. Lot of people are watching you. What is your comments for the Indian viewers from your side?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) Thank you very much. I am sorry (that Anand lost) that the match turned out the way it did.
