How much chance of winning did you give Anand before the championship started?
I would say, 50-50. Both Anand and Kramnik are very good players, giants in the chess world. Kramnik had beaten [Gary] Kasparov, [Veselin] Topalov, [Peter] Leko, everybody.
Because Anand is my son, I gave 50-50 (laughs). If it was somebody else against Kramnik, I would have given Kramnik more chance, because he is a very good player.
Anand's opening in the third game surprised everyone, including Kramnik. Did it surprise you also?
I don't know that much about chess to comment about the opening. These people think far ahead, ten moves, 15 moves, etc. I don't understand what is in their mind.
Were you in touch with him during the tournament?
No, not at all. Anand never talks to anyone while a match is going on. He talks to us just before leaving for the tournament. This time also, he called us before he left for Bonn to play, and we wished him. We don't talk to him in between. I don't think he ever talks to anybody. People tend to tell him what is written and what others say.
After Anand won the sixth game, [Anatoly] Karpov said, the match was as good as over. Anand had three wins by then. Did you also feel that way?
No, no, I didn't think of all that. Usually, I accept it as it comes; I do not think far ahead.
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