Viswanathan Anand

My parents were very supportive of my chess. When I got home after a game of chess, having missed school or something,…

— Viswanathan Anand

Preparedness for a game that usually lasts four-five hours requires good physical condition and also steady nerves.

— Viswanathan Anand

I would never suggest to anyone that they drop school for chess. First of all even if you can make it in…

— Viswanathan Anand

Just before a game, I try to keep a clear mind so that I can focus better. I'm the kind of person…

— Viswanathan Anand

You need to motivate yourself, no matter what-definitely when things are bad, but also when things are good. Or else, you risk…

— Viswanathan Anand

Each match I approach like a new one. The work is so immense that you don't have time to sit and ponder.

— Viswanathan Anand

For me, chess is not a profession, it is a way of life, a passion. People may feel that I have conquered…

— Viswanathan Anand

Before a game, I avoid having a heavy meal so that I don't feel sleepy at the board. You eat to be…

— Viswanathan Anand

I personally prefer long-distance walking, but we are talking about pre-tournament preparation. During a tournament I make do with walking, mainly to…

— Viswanathan Anand

Confidence is very important - even pretending to be Confident. If you make a Mistake but do not let your Opponent see…

— Viswanathan Anand

I feel that schools and corporates should help the government in popularising sports in the country. Blaming the government for every sporting…

— Viswanathan Anand

I was reasonably interested in mathematics in school. Typically what happens is... when you start playing chess, it takes up a lot…

— Viswanathan Anand

Chess has given me a lot more than I could ask for. I have been able to feel special, travel the world…

— Viswanathan Anand

Parents, first and foremost, it is important to... understand and recognise the activities your child is naturally gravitating towards. It's important also…

— Viswanathan Anand

Intuition in chess can be defined as the first move that comes to mind when you see a position.

— Viswanathan Anand

I think the draw quotient has always been high in world championship matches because the amount of effort people put into neutralizing…

— Viswanathan Anand

In Gujarat, we had the world record of largest number of chess games in a single venue - 20,500 - and in…

— Viswanathan Anand

There is always the risk of being over-confident when you are preparing to face a weaker player.

— Viswanathan Anand

Things like the financial markets - a proper grounding in mathematics could help the common man. I believe that if people are…

— Viswanathan Anand

Of course, you feel good to play in a familiar environment. I enjoyed Delhi 2000 a lot. But the advantage doesn't work…

— Viswanathan Anand

When there's an important tournament going on, I try and stay in a bubble. It's easy that way because then you don't…

— Viswanathan Anand

I think an important lesson from the game is that once you have made a move, you cannot take it back. You…

— Viswanathan Anand

Before a match, I do not follow any chess news except the games.

— Viswanathan Anand

There are two aspects to being competitive; one is to do with sports, and the other is about technical skills. Being able…

— Viswanathan Anand

Sometimes, if you are nervous, it could actually turn out to be a manifestation of your exhaustion. The point is that any…

— Viswanathan Anand