World Chess Championship 2013: Garry Kasparov checks in

Chess legend Garry Kasparov talks on ‘How Life Imitates Chess: The Grandmaster’s Battle For Russia’ during the second day of THiNK 2013 at Bambolim on November 9, 2013 in Goa, India.

Former World Chess Champion and one of the greatest chess players ever, Garry Kasparov is in Chennai to witness the World Championship match between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen. Kasparov with his wife checked into the Hyatt Regency on Monday, flying straight from Goa after attending the THINK conference. His visit is stirring up a lot of buzz in the media and among the fans for various reasons.

Garry Kasparov had earlier announced his candidacy for the role of FIDE president and has started actively campaigning and promoting himself and his cause for the game. He has been waging a war against FIDE leadership for many years which started with the creation of Professional Chess Association. All India Chess Federation(AICF) snubbed him by not arranging a formal welcome which is understandable since AICF didn’t want to create animosity between the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and itself, hinting that they will not be backing Kasparov for the next FIDE president.

“I’m here as a chess tourist,” commented Garry, on the purpose of his visit. Fans may recollect that Kasparov was the one to popularize the term “chess tourist” which he used to describe or dismiss the strength of the participants in the 1999, FIDE Knockout World Chess Championship. Kasparov might have used the term literally this time around, however considering that he retired in 2005 may be there was a pun intended. On a side note, coincidentally I came across a website dedicated for chess tourists here.

Kasparov has openly stated that he is cheering for Magnus Carlsen, but the million dollar question is if he is here to help Carlsen? Well, according to Kasparov, his visit to Goa was finalized much before the World Championship venue was finalized and it made sense for him to visit the World Championship venue which is relatively close by. Garry Kasparov had mentored Magnus Carlsen in 2009, the partnership ended with Carlsen breaking-up as he was unable to deal with Kasparov’s demeanour, but they’ve remained close and now Kasparov plays the role of an adviser to the young Norwegian. So will Carlsen seek advice from his former guru if the going gets tough? My answer to that would be a big ‘YES’.

Anand, on the other side, no longer maintains a friendly relationship with Kasparov. Garry had lambasted Anand and Gelfand for taking a safe approach by playing six uneventful draws in the first six games of the previous World Chess Championship, which put added pressure on Anand as a champion to take risks and make the match exciting for the fans. Anand lost the very next game by taking unjustified risks, but later came back and struck with vengeance in game eight to level the scores. Kasparov’s sheer presence can change the outcome of the game since his views are taken seriously by the fans and the media causing a ripple effect.

AICF has already taken precautions to avoid the Kasparov-effect it seems: Arvind Aaron, press officer for the event commented,

“I have been advised by the Indian chess federation that he should not be allowed to enter the media centre (from where FIDE officials and the two players have been addressing press conferences)”

Personally I feel AICF is in a very tight spot here. Do they view Kasparov as a politician or Carlsen’s advisor or the chess legend?What will the Tamil Nadu government have to say when they get to know that the organizers had snubbed Garry Kasparov? How will AICF solve this tricky PR situation? All of a sudden, it’s chess, both on and off the board.

Coming back to the questions that matter most: Will Kasparov’s presence change the course of the match? Will we get to see the first decisive game today? Will a reinvigorated Carlsen go for the kill? All we can do is wait and watch!