Chennai: For me, the ride had been fun.
Unlike Anand and Carlsen who agreed for quick draws in the first two rounds, I tried hard to coax my evershrinking brain into producing something readable
I know you hadn't been losing sleep over to find the identity of GM Ignoramus who tried to be vaguely funny in a five-part series over the course of the world chess championship. But I would like to presume otherwise to feel somewhat important in this vast universe. I don't know whether the GM with no rating induced guffaws from you or made you forget the soaring prices of vegetables while you endured his esoteric musings.
For me, the ride had been fun. Unlike Anand and Carlsen who agreed for quick draws in the first two rounds, I tried hard to coax my evershrinking brain into producing something readable. Before I forget, my sincere thanks to GM (he's a real GM) Parimarjan Negi. The Delhi boy with a sharp brain and sharper sense of humour is my inspiration to start this diabolical venture.
Negi, it's a pity you had been entrapped into doing e4, d6 analysis for a rival newspaper.
I say “sorry“ to those die-hard chess fans -who are only a handful any way -for belittling your beloved game. You will understand my rant better if you know that the only move I understand in a long match is the 'one' players make when they want to get out of their chairs.
Hurl your brickbats at the imaginary figure of GM Ignoramus or get enrolled in an anger management course near your house.
Bouquets can be couriered to T.N. Raghu @ Deccan Chronicle.
I'm winding up my scholarly pursuit with the announcement of awards for various people associated with the 'riveting' AnandCarlsen match. I'm not responsible if the jury members of Cannes and Oscar feel inadequate.
Mr Friendly: After stiff competition with Carlsen's father Enrik, Espen Agdestein, the world no.1's manager, claims the prize. Espen was always there at Hyatt for journalists and others. The big man from Norway has something which a lot of people on Chennai's roads don't have: patience.
'I-don't-know' award: It's easier to walk upside down on Anna Salai than getting some useful information from V. Hariharan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association as well as the national federation. This amiable man can be a nightmare to Right to Information activists.
Star interrogator: With Anand being a revered figure for Indian journalists, the onus of asking newsy questions to the fivetime champion such as -Did you ask the organisers not to seat Kasparov in the front rows? What's your take on Nigel Short's tweet that Carlsen's imminent triumph represents the end of an era? -fell on this reporter: Mads Stoestad from Norway.
Right question at the wrong time: Even as Anand was smarting from his third defeat in the series, one reporter asked him: What are your future plans and how would you take chess to schools? The Fide press officer dealt with the question by brushing it aside.
'Steal-the-thunder' award: Garry Kasparov, no doubt.
When the great Russian was in Chennai, Anand and Carlsen became peripheral figures.
Woman of the tournament: Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa.
Without her government's generosity, Chennai wouldn't have staged the big match.
GM Ignoramus award: A policeman who shouted 'draw' after Anand's loss in the sixth round, a TV cameraman who didn't know the result after the match had finished half-an-hour ago and a chess administrator who pretty much knew zilch about the game's key figures were all in contention. But my award goes to the Hyatt steward who said “Anand is playing with white“ after a round was 40-minute old.
( Source : dc )
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