HYDERABAD: Five-time champion Viswanathan Anand said conducting the World Championship Match as an annual event was insane. “It was very frustrating to play three-in-a-row like this. But that is the way it is. I’m glad they’re now switching to a two-year cycle. So next year, I can focus on other tournaments. When the schedule for 2016 comes out, I will be ready,” said Anand during an NIIT promotional event on Friday.
The five-time champion, who lost to Magnus Carlsen of Norway for the second successive year at Sochi, said he was nevertheless happy with the way he played this time. “I was happy with the World Championship Match against Carlsen. But I did not make use of my chances. It doesn’t make sense to remember the past. You have to look to the next move. I’m already happy with the way things went in London. I can learn from the past mistakes.”
On whether he was aggressive this time against Carlsen, Anand said: “The first time around I was defensive. But this time, I thought in general, I created more chances and I was happy with the way things went.”
The 45-year-old did not want to compare between Garry Kasparov and Carslen, saying they were from completely different generations. Anand said he was happy with the way things went this year. “I won three tournaments. I was very happy to win in London. It was a short tournament.” Anand pointed out that P Harikrishna had made the breakthrough. “He has made considerable progress. (Koneru) Humpy had some chances. So I hope she qualifies in the next cycle.”
Anand added that at present he is enjoying playing various tournaments.