Title match with Anand on this year, says Kasparov

Addressing newspersons, Kasparov said, “Year 2000 is more difficult for me than 1999. How can I top last year’s effort ? I’m not going to push in this tournament. I’m going to enjoy playing chess here. I feel that is when I’m at my best, when I’m enjoying the game.”

He said the length of the tournament suited him. “I can take my time to grow into it. With two opening round blacks, I won’t feel a need to play for wins immediately it takes a bit of pressure off me.”Nonetheless, the world’s top ranked player started with a win against Viktor Korchnoi on Saturday.

Asked how he reacted to coming second in an Internet poll behind Bobby Fischer as the Greatest Player of the Millennium, Kasparov countered, “And exactly how many people took part in this poll ?

Besides, I think you’ll find that 75 per cent that voted were American. In any case, I thought the wording read Favourite Player of the Millennium, and not Greatest.”

He added he would not play at the Frankfurt Giants if, as expected, Fritz 6 is one of the competitors. “I’ve informed the organisers that I won’t take part if Fritz 6 plays. I well remember the trouble that genius gave me at London Intel tournament, 1994. I feel that computers playing in these conditions would be unfair for humans.”

Anand confirmed he hoped to play Kasparov this year, hopefully around September.

Asked if he had been put to shade by Kasparov’s glorious 1999, Anand replied, “Kasparov had a good 1999 perhaps even his best yearever but now he has to prove everything all over again. Therefore, the pressure his back on him.”

Anand had a reputation some 10 years ago for taking as little as 15-20 minutes to finish a whole game while his opponents were in deep time-trouble. He was asked why he did not play at this speed anymore ?

“Well, it didn’t always work in my favour,” he replied. “I’m more measured in my old age I’ve even lost one game on time ! I don’t like getting into time-trouble; I always like to have a 15-20 minute margin over my opponents. I’m a better player than I was 10 years ago.”