Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Age versus youth' that was published in Newsband

Age versus youth

The World Chess Championship title clash between champion Viswanathan Anand and Norwegian prodigy Magnus Carlsen, the highest ranked player in chess history, has begun. This battle of generations involves players of conflicting styles. They have perfected the art using the best tools of their era.

What Anand learnt from his deep study and understanding of chess classics, Carlsen gained using software. In the event, Anand’s experience and success in match-play is being seen as his biggest asset.

It will be interesting to see how Carlsen, a citizen of one of the coldest and least populated nations, deals with the situation.

Just recently Carlsen had handed out Anand his worst defeat. But knowing Anand’s tenacity and motivation, it will be naïve to rule out his chances.

It will be interesting to see a battle between 20 year Carlson and his twice aged Anand. It is going tough for Anand to defend his position. The world is keenly watching the interesting match between them. Let’s hope the result will be decisive and not a draw.

Anand will have to make things happen instead of playing the waiting game against Carlsen. If one takes the generation gap into consideration, chess is not like cricket. In cricket the younger you are the better you will perform. But chess is a mental game and older you are the more advantage you possess.

The Indian TV commentators should talk less and allow spectators to concentrate on the game unless they are being paid by the numbers of words they utter.

Starting with Bobby Fisher the game has changed from the more sedate variety to a thrilling one and it continues to thrill audiences around the

World with the audacious play by Anand. India and the chess world are proud of Anand’s contributions. May this clash produce the best chess that will inspire all the chess lovers all over the World.