5/18/2004
Anand
won his third chess Oscar this week. Well, Chess Reporter called this one
back in February of 2004, when it awarded Anand the first annual
International White Knight's MVP Award. Anand had an outstanding year in
2003.
With
His third Oscar, Anand feels his place in chess history is set. I believe
there is much more for Anand to accomplish. He has never won the big one.
Anand's one chance for a true world title ended in failure against Garry
Kasparov in 1995. It was an
exciting match, Anand took the lead mid way thru the match, however he
fell apart in the 2nd half. Kasparov won by a score of 10.5 –
7.5.
You have
to wonder, if Anand regrets his decision to decline Kasparov offer to
challenge for the Brain Game Title in 2000. Kramnik wisely accepted
this challenge. He defeated Kasparov, by a score of 8.5 – 6.5, to become the 14th
and current world champion.
Boris Spassky and Tigran Petrosian both won titles in
their early 30’s. At 34, Anand is at the peak of his powers. I think he
has a good chance to overtake both Kasparov and Kramnik.
This would certainly catapult Anand into the chess elite. However
Anand must fight his way thru at Tripoli later this year. He is a great
rapid/blitz player and has fought his way thru to the finals twice. He
finally won in 2001.
I believe Anand has made mistakes by passing up
opportunities to challenge Kasparov in recent years:
1)
Brain Games 2000 – Anand decline Kasparov’s challenge
2)
Linares 2003 – Anand missed a chance to challenge Kasparov,
Kramnik and Leko
3)
Tripoli – Anand has declined to play in the FIDE Knockout. Anand
has the skills to win this event and challenge Kasparov for the right to
become absolute champion.
Anand’s chances to become a true world champion are
waning. He must seize this opportunity in Tripoli. If he does not, his
true world championship could be gone forever.
Chess Today reports : ct-141(1290) Thursday 5/20/2004 :
Anand told interviewers that the time for implementing the Prague
Agreement has run out and he does not understand why one player should get
privileges (Kasparov). He believes it's unfair and will not play in
Libya
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