Vishy Anand does a Q&A in a Reddit Ask Me Anything
When it comes to the world chess champions whose non-chess side one wants to see and learn more - Vishy Anand's name is the first that comes to mind. So naturally, a Reddit AMA (Ask me Anything) is something one cannot afford to miss. Almost anything the maestro says is indubitably worth a read. Anand shares everything from how his favorite food after he won a tough match to how he felt after losing the world championship to Magnus Carlsen. The one who inspired the nation and beyond, answers questions by people from all over the world, North East India and Slovenia are some of the places he would love to visit sometime. Do checkout this interesting Q&A session with the one and only. Photo: r/ChessIndia
Anand answers
Reddit (wordplay on read it) is known to be the 'frontpage of the internet'. Unlike facebook and twitter, it is not a social media, in simple words you can call it a bulletin board where you can customize what you wish to read and be aware of. You can find here almost anything and everything. Previously in 2014, Nakamura and Carlsen have done AMAs (Ask me Anything) on Reddit. A Reddit AMA literally means what it says, anyone can ask about anything, there is no paywall or a criteria to ask your thoughts. However the guest is not obligated to answer all of them. They choose the questions which they feel are good enough and then reply to them via text. On Friday 20th December at 7:30 p.m. IST, Vishy Anand did an AMA with the entire Redditors (people who use Reddit).
While the questions covered chess, mindset and Anand's personal traits/choices/preferences and other topics, we are mentioning the maximum amount of answers. If you wish to go through the entire AMA, please visit here.
vedanshagrawal: Hi Vishy, who's the nicest chess player you've met?
Vishy Anand (VA): I like several, but probably people who lose to me feel very nice.
coderpatzer: I greatly admire your achievements, sir. My question is, why does it become nearly impossible to attain the title of Grandmaster beyond a certain age?
VA: 12 years is common, and generally grandmaster is pretty time demanding, so people who come back late are unlikely to do so at an advanced age. does anyone know whats the upper bound?
WeirdRaccoon4987: Will you compete for candidates tournament again? Really want to see you play chess world cup and grand swiss tournament.
VA: no, that chapter is closed, I appreciate your wish though
AV-SINGH: Thanks for the AMA! Would love to hear your views on the narrative raised about the Indian youngsters being sort of your army to take the throne back from Magnus, funny as it may sound. How do you view the current situation with Gukesh being the youngest WCC with Arjun rated even higher and how your contributions pose many challenges to the guy you fought your WCCs against in 2013 and 2014?
VA: no, they are following their dreams! yes, they are playing players I played several players and still occasionally, but come on, too creative an interpretation
FoolDresden: Hi Sir, I have a non chess question. What’s the best prank you’ve played on someone? And also, what’s the best prank someone has done on you!
VA: Barua and me once called our team captain at an olympiad and told him the Indian ambassador was waiting for him downstairs while pretending to call from reception. Best prank is too strong, but that I remember. On the receiving end, oof, I dont remember anything now.
WeirdRacoon4987: Hello Sir. Do you like normal chess or fischer random more?
VA: I try to be agnostic when I play, enjoy whatever I am playing.
YuvrajD: Hey Vishy Sir, How Should Young Chess Players Practice To Improve At Chess? By The Way Thanks For Your Immense Contribution Towards Indian Chess ❤️
VA: The best way to practise is to play often it would be nice if we had a reliable way to improve but honestly you play chess you look at it and the brain in its own mysterious way improves.
Ok-Specific-1279: Nihal is not participating in the World Rapid and Blitz 2024 due to visa issues. Could you please help him out? Your influence can definitely speed up the process. Thank you.
VA: You overestimate my influence. Its a pity, but I am sure he is very motivated for the new year watching all his junior colleagues
SRamos9248: Hi Vishy sir. You lived quite a bit in Spain. So, Real Madrid or Barcelona? 😂
GK: Real Madrid! From your handle i can assume the same?
animeforever3: Hello, you're a big inspiration to every chess player in this country!! I have 3 questions that I've been meaning to ask;
1. When it comes to higher level chess games, I have noticed that there's a trend of who memorizes more positions than thinking strategically, as a grand master and a world champion, how much strategic thinking happens in a game over memorization of previous games and positions? Especially in the opening and middle game?
2. I have noticed so many GMs and other high rated chess players start learning chess seriously as a young kid, do you think its possible for an adult (a 20 year old or a 30 year old) to freshly pickup chess and get to top levels?
3. This is a bit of a personal question, but one of the reasons I stopped playing chess regularly was I rage a lot when blundering a winning game, and I noticed it started to affect my mental health a lot. As a sportsman, is there any advice you'd like to give to handle the stress that comes from losing in such positions?
VA: 3. I could use such advice myself :)
It's not memorization or strategic thinking, memory is the first step in strategic thinking.
Difficult but possible for an adult
Witty_Pomgrenate987: Hello sir , i have a non chess question can you tell about your childhood how you got introduced to chess who taught you
VA: My mother taught me how to play!
CRYINGBUDDY69: Hey vishy, what is your prediction on next wcc title would it be arjun vs gukesh
VA: 5-10% chance it can happen
Dependent_Nose9421: Hello sir, greetings I've heard about an event about your life early on where, you were sitting in a train where an old man asked what do you do and you answered him that I play chess and the man asked what do you do for a living.. I was curious to know if it is true or just an internet cooked up story.. We would not mind you elaborating the incident sir😅
VA: Its a completely true story. He actually told me in the end that chess is a very risky career unless I happen to be Vishwanathan Anand.
SkillParking: Hello sir, can you please tell us about that famous match between you amd Gary kasparov in 1996 blitz championship finals. Did you actually see his reaction to the blunder which hinted you towards next moves.
VA: He waited to see me make my response before he showed his true emotions.
itsrutobruv: Vishy! A huge fan from the Northeast part of the country.
I've been introduced to the Chess community thanks to Samay Raina back in 2020-21 where he used to stream a lot of games.
I was wondering why we do not have enough northeast indian players who are representing the country at some levels (or even if they do, we're totally clueless as a casual audience!)
I do not know/or are aware of any Northeastern Chess GM, IM, NM, etc. Plus, what else can the community do in order to grow chess over here in our region? We do need to develop more players from each part of the country 'cause who knows- maybe we have a potential prodigy waiting for the opportunity over here too :D
Thank you! I hope I don't sound stupid here lol
VA: True some regions have a head start on chess. Once you have a critical mass these things go faster but the good thing is nowadays you get a chance to connect with people around the world and play and discuss the game so hopefully that momentum will start in the North East at least it would give me an excuse to come there more often.
WeirdRaccoon4987: Your favorite travel destination?
VA: Have many favourite travel destinations, fav games and fav moments, depends what you want to remember.
BigHari_9211: Hi Sir. Do you think chess is something not everyone can excel at? In the sense, only individuals who are super smart can excel at it? Or the earlier you start and the more you practice the better you become?
VA: Look, turns out we are all better at something than another thing.
WannaBeLuffy11: Hey Vishy Sir! Hope you are doing well. I just started playing chess, what are some openings(both as white and black) you would suggest for an absolute beginner? Thank You!!
VA: Play something you understand and then move on to more things.
WeirdRaccoon4987: How it feels to be still a top 10 player? You are one of the greatest players ever.
VA: Thank you, I just play and try to enjoy playing. Its easier when you play less to do that.
Living-Yam4499: Hi Sir, whether there is a possibility of you competing in FIDE world rapid/blitz championship in future?
VA: Maybe one year I will feel like it.
Soham_888: Hi sir, just a fun question, do you think Levy can be GM?
VA: I think he is on the borderline he might well become a Grand Master
bunn_1010: A very good evening, sir! Is it ever too late to start chess? I'm an 800 ELO player, currently in College. Should I pursue chess?
VA: its never too late to start chess, but to turn pro, probably earlier is better.
zatakka: Hello vishy sir i admire you alot . My question is How was your experience playing world championship match with magnus carlsen and how did you take that loss?
VA: Nobody enjoys a loss, but I acknowledged that I had let my chess fall behind.
WeirdRaccoon4987: Other than playing chess what else you like to do as a hobby?
VA: Anything else that takes my mind away but travel and astronomy along with reading something and watching something are fun ways to do it!
KnowledgeEastern7422: Sir , Do you think chess960 is future of chess ???
VA: It's one more way to enjoy chess.
Used_Branch_8503: Hi, have you ever felt like you plateaued in your chess and if yes then what did you do to overcome it?
VA: Many times, its normal, you go on somehow and one day you come out of it. Never give up.
Indio_de_la_India: Hello Sir. ¿ Cómo puede usted mantener su nivel de español sin vivir en España ahora? (Translation: How can you maintain your level of Spanish without living in Spain now?)
VA: Cuesta un poco, pero recupero bastante rapido cuando estoy en Espana. (Translation: It takes a little while, but I recover quite quickly when I'm in Spain.)
Trowawayuse: Hello sir. What has experience been with substances affecting your chess playing ability? I mean we all have experience with coffee as substance. How has various substances affected your game? Anything we can do or hope for?
VA: Coffee, energy bars, fruits, chocolate are all things i have tried, but I wouldn't call them substances.
kristoabhi: what is your mantra to stay humble and simple. very much inspired by your life.
VA: My parents influenced that and anyway, I try to be myself, thats hard enough!
Conclusion-Brilliant: You are the reason behind the Indian chess boom. Utmost respect sir.
VA: Thank you very much thats nice of you.
featuredflan: Would you consider taking a virtual masterclass on YouTube for encouraging more people to chess?
VA: I am open to it.
I have been playing chess for 6 months now pretty consistently, and have reached 1627 elo on chess.com at my peak, but have been stuck around 1500-1600 for like an entire month now, I have tried to study openings and the like but they just don't help, especially whenever they start playing something I don't expect. Is there any tip you can give for me?
VA: You can consult someone.... otherwise just play lots and once a week, dont play but look at your games slowly.
shivanthm: Hello Vishy sir, been following you and your games since when I was 9 during the 2013 WCC... My question is, How has the mindset of experienced players like Aronian, Magnus, and Fabi evolved over time in relation to chess? Do you think they are as motivated as they were before?
VA: Everyone's motivations evolve with age.
shivanthm: Hello Vishy sir, I wonder about this question a lot... As we know, MVL played Najdorf and Grunfeld exclusively for a very long time. According to you, do you think he could've achieved even greater feats if he had spread his repertoire more And, how difficult was it to prepare against him in Najdorf and Grunfeld back then?
VA: It used to be a good strategy, but with computers, surprise value bcame more useful. He is also switching more these days.
The_Eagle_07: What is one life advice you would give to someone who is out there chasing their dream and sustain the failures that comes along that path? Thanks sir. Huge fan.
VA: I think you do something you enjoy and you accept objective feedback from whatever it is that you do you try to improve and you do not give up the rest is not really in your hands.
WannaBeLuffy11: Hello Vishy Sir, if you can take/learn one quality/strength for yourself from the Current Generation of Indian Chess (Gukesh, Arjun, Pragg, Vidit, Hari, Nihal). What quality would you learn/take?
VA: Their outlook is fresh and helps me see the game with new eyes, Hari is closer to my age than to them and Vidit is in the middle.
homosapienoncoffea: What is your desire with regards to how much chess should be celebrated in our country? And what are your realistic expectations of the growth of the chess "industry"? (not sure if industry is the right word but ykwim)
VA: Look I am not going to put a limit on how much chess should be celebrated in our country but I understand your point.
svscvbh: Vanakkam Sir! Fellow Madrid fan, and your fan too, I get you follow football. Any other sport do you like to follow, apart from chess haha?
VA: I watch tennis and I watch a lot of sports without being a big fan but if something interesting is happening then I will kind of get caught in the excitement cricket as well is something I check in once in a while because there is so much happening in India.
sillylime24: Hello Vishy, non chess question, what's your go to favorite food when you win a tough match?
VA: I'm always very happy to have a nice meal and honestly just like my travel destinations I have many many favourite cuisines observation cuisines lots of South American ones, lots of European cuisines, Arab cuisines and so on I think its more a matter of knowing what.
exxentricity: What's the maximum number of simultaneous blindfold games you can play? 🤔
VA: I dont know what is the maximum number of simultaneous games I can play because once I gave a simultaneous display a blindfold one that is in 1991 in Amsterdam and that was so exhausting I stopped doing it the main problem is confusing which board you have which position.
Adventurous-Shine919: Have you ever sledged an opponent?
VA: The problem is if I did something like sledging that I would feel worse afterwards and anyway I know I feel much better.
Mountain_put1401: Hi vishy sir Nowadays during winters, I feel very lazy and sometimes mentally fatigued, What did you do to remove mental fatigue and laziness?
VA: That's a great excuse and I think you only have to work in the other nine months but most seriously if you are feeling tired and lazy a you should see if you are getting enough sleep and B you have to do something get out of your house go for a walk some intense physical exercise because well you need to snap out of it somehow.
Powerful_Fun8718: What’s your opinion on bullet chess? Isn’t it degrading the quality of the game? Online chess has made it so easy to play that sometimes it turns into too much chess (addiction). What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?
VA: Bullet chess I won't play because it seems to push it too far towards mouse skills and yes but the point is what is your ability not to make the final mistake with no time at all look there are some people who like it I do not judge them but I do not. Yes getting addicted to anything is a bad idea and our phones and technology make this too easy. It is too easy and to keep jamming with your mouse or with your keyboard and thing, I think people should learn to stop and get away as well.
Lakshya_Kaviya: Vishy , do you have account on Zerodha 😅
VA: No I am not someone who does trading on apps I have somebody who helps me with that and my wife and me discuss how we invest.
shelocksherdon: My nephew loves chess and I love spending time with him, could you tell me how and where can I start playing chess?
VA: You can either play online that's probably easiest in the beginning and then once you made some friends may be you can arrange to meet them somewhere some cities have bars where maybe you can set up a chess set and play in the side there might be chess clubs but in the beginning the easiest way to get started is online.
DGIComics: Hello Sir. Who are your current favorite chess youtubers?
VA: I like Sagar for quick information about something but I have to say I tend not to watch chess Youtubers let me explain it this way youtube is where people go to escape something and for me just to go back for more chess is kind of besides the point so on youtube I watch science documentaries comedies you know whatever everything.
HeadYogurt5647: Thank you for this opportunity. Garry Kasparov once said that on the night before he became the youngest-ever world champion in history, he received a phone call from Mikhail Tal. “Young man,” Tal said, “Tomorrow is my birthday. And I expect a good present.” Did you speak with Gukesh around your birthday on December 11?
VA: It was very bold on the part of Tal to call Gary I was not disturbing Gukesh at all and imagine he had not won that day. I do not think I would be very happy with myself for calling.
Unique_Web4437: Hey Vishy , greetings from Slovenia. Have you ever been here? And if yes, what did you enjoy the most. Thank you for taking the time out to answer. Best luck always.
VA: That's nice. No, I have not been to Slovenia. I have been to Serbia and Croatia and I would really love to come to Slovenia. I have heard amazing things about Llubljana and Bled so I would like to check it out.
4Pas_: It's an honour to have a chat with you! How did you feel exactly after being dethroned by Carlsen for the first time? Is it more of pride or sorrow? I'm not sure if you get asked this question a lot, but it would be great to hear how it would feel when the throne passes from one legend to another.
VA: I think the moment I lost my title it was a relief but a few days back when I realised I'm going to lose it in a few days then it felt awful and afterwards I realised that well these things happen initially I did not look at a chess board for like two months afterwards but after that well I continued to play.
sssiuuuuuuuuu: As the champion title is again with India what changes do you think these will make to promote chess in India. And how much time it will take to be like other countries in terms of chess schools and chess parks or the street all over india
VA: Promoting a game is not a linear process you need some excitement some buzz so when somebody wins the world championship that brings a lot of attention and there will be lots of people who get involved with the game and hopefully that will happen now.
Beneficial_Ad7849: Any opinion for kids who may get addicted to Chess and not play physical sports which are also important? Considering there is very small scope for career in chess unless kid is prodigy
VA: Chess is excellent training in the same way the physical sports are excellent training. They are training different qualities, just trains you to think to think ahead to make a move and then never be able to take it back, you know to accept the consequences. These are all useful habits, just like a physical sport will improve your health, your coordination your stamina.
