British Grandmaster Nigel Short says India's Viswanathan Anand [Images] has a lot of chess left in him, but needs to improve his physical fitness to maintain consistency at the top level.

"Anand is a god for me. He has more chess in his tank. He is not a spring chicken and needs more physical fitness," Short said.

Short, who last played with Anand in Corus 2005, said Anand is not very soft as a player but, at the same time, he is not as ruthless as others.

"He was soft 10 years back despite having enough ability that time. He is not a bunny rabbit anymore but he is also not as ruthless as other players," he said.

Short, however, made light weather of Anand's loss of rating points.

"At that level rating does not matter. Anyone above 2700 can become a world champion."

Short was very critical of the "cheap tricks" adopted by Bulgaria's Veselin Topalov against Russia's [Images] Vladimir Kramnik during the recent World Championships in Elista.

"Kramnik survived rather underhand equanimity. Topalov is a strong player but he used cheap tricks. The FIDE's Appeals committee also appeared to be on his [Topalov's] side.

But, he said, there is nothing called bad publicity.

"It is not bad for sport because it attracts people's attention."

On a personal note, Short said he was still interested in chess and enjoyed playing.

"I am looking forward to the upcoming Commonwealth championships," he said.

About his restricted appearances in elite tournaments, Short maintained his old statement: "I think organisers think I am retired or dead because I don't get invitations for many tournaments. Maybe they do not want me," he said.

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