Anand now eyes Dortmund title

Winning four of the last five tournaments he played in, including three in a row, World champion Vishwanathan Anand is keen to maintain the splendid run in the upcoming Dortmund Chess championship.

With less than a fortnight for the presitigious German event, Anand will start practice on the chequered board in earnest.

"I am going back to Madrid and will start preparing right away as it is a tough classical event with many of the top players playing there," Anand said, adding, I am looking forward to the event and hope to do well."

A masterly weekend-win in Mainz, Germany, in the tie-break Sicilian game over rival BrainGames champion Vladimir Kramnik after the ten-game match ended in a 5-5 draw, proved to be the stress-buster for the Indian Grandmaster before another gruelling championship.

"Any match with Kramnik in any form of chess is difficult... but the win has helped especially with Dortmund round the corner," Anand said.

Anand said he was motivated enough against Kramnik but admitted occassional concentration lapses.

"I was quite motivated to play this event but lacked concentration after long-drawn tournaments in Leon and Merida. I started concentrating when I saw the danger but Kramnik had more difficulties. There were a few missed chances but in the tie-break things fell in place for me," the champion said.

"There were a few difficult positions but I kept him guessing... also, I found the defence when it was required most. Things went my way and I was happy to win the title in the end," said Anand, who was praised unanimously, including by Kramnik, for his defensive skills in the tournament.

With a hat-trick of titles at Merida (Mexico), Leon (France) and Mainz (Germany), Anand certainly looks to be in roaring form.

"While it was Classical Chess at Merida, it was Advanced Chess in Leon and Rapid Chess in Mainz. I was confident right through these events and took risks in Merida to take the title.

"Germany seems to work well for my Rapid Chess as I have been very consistent over here and was able to strike the right form when it mattered.

"I am satisfied with my form," the unassuming champion said.

Also see:
Anand stays put in third place
Vishwanathan - The King