Anand confident of bouncing back after mixed 2016

TIL Desk Sports/ Confident of bouncing back after enduring a mixed 2016, former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand says he will compete in the Grand Chess Tour, which includes five tournaments and the World Cup, this year.

Speaking at the inauguration of a three-day chess camp organised by Velammal Vidyalaya here, Anand said his most immediate assignment would be in Zurich next month. Anand also said that it was great to see more Indian players pushing for spots in the top 50, while referring to P Harikrishna’s recent performance. Harikrishna has improved his rating to the 2750 range.

“He (Hari) has improved dramatically in the last two-three years. He will play this year’s World Cup in an attempt to qualify for the candidates,” Anand said. Anand also praised B Adibhan, who had recently done well in the Corus championship in Wijk aan Zee where he held world champion Magnus Carlsen and also beat Russian challenger Sergey Karjakin.