Raghuram interviews Anand

CHAPTER 10

Raghuram interviews Anand

Mother and son entered the room. Academy chairman, Raghuram and the principal were sitting at the table.

Rekha and Anand said “Good morning” to both Raghuram and Principal. Raghuram nodded with a smile on his face. Principal also smiled at them and nodded her head happily.

Principal introduced Rekha and Anand. “Sir, this is Mrs. Rekha. And this is her son Anand, the District Junior Chess Champion.”

Smiling and pointing to chairs, Raghuram said, “Come and sit down.”

Rekha and Anand sat down in front of Raghuram.

Smiling at Anand, Raghuram said, “I read about you in the paper. Congratulations, my boy. So you are Anand and you want to be like Vishwanath Anand I suppose?”

Anand smiled, “Yes sir”

Raghuram continued, “You want to jump from the junior champion to the level of a world champion. You know, this needs concentration and intelligence. Let me see if you are capable. I will test you, ok?”

Anand smiled, “Yes Sir.”

Raghuram said, “I will take you as my student only if you pass in my test.”

Anand became alert. “Fine Sir; I am ready.”

Looking at the boy, Raghuram asked, “First tell me who inspired you to play chess?”

Anand was excited. “Vishwanath Anand, sir.”

Feeling happy, Raghuram said, “Good. So Vishwanath Anand has inspired you. I will start this interview with him. Are you ready?”

With humbleness, becoming alert, Anand said, “Yes, sir. I am ready.”

Smiling at the young boy, Raghuram asked, “Tell me what was Vishwanath Anand’s age when he became the sub junior champion”

Immediately, Anand answered, “In 1983 when he was 14 years old.”

Raghuram was impressed. He asked, “When did he become the international master?”

Coolly, Anand answered, “Vishwanath Anand became the international master in 1984.’

Excited, Raghuram asked, “Good. When did he become the Indian national junior champion?”

Coolly, Anand answered, “1985.”

Quickly, Raghuram asked, “Grand master?”

Equally quickly, Anand answered “In 1998, sir.”

Looking at Anand, Raghuram asked, “When did he become the world champion?”

Coolly, Anand answered, “In 2000 in FEDA world chess championship.”

Raghuram was very happy. He said, “Very good. You know all about Vishwanath Anand. That’s why your name is also Anand.”

Hearing this, everyone laughed. Anand felt shy and gave a small smile.

Now Raghuram started asking some general questions on chess. He asked, “Tell me in which country did chess originate?”

Anand smiled proudly and said, “Chess originated in our country India. The kings used to play chess.”

Asking a difficult question, Raghuram said, “When did the first world chess championship take place and who was the first world champion?”

Anand became alert. He answered, “The first world chess championship took place in 1886 and William Stentze became the first world champion. He kept the title from1886 to 1894.”

Getting most excited to hear such good answers from Anand, Raghuram asked, “Tell me who became the world chess champion in 1872?”

Anand smiled and said, “Bobby Fisher. He won the match swimming. He kept the title from 1972 to 1975.”

Excited and looking at Anand, Raghuram asked, “Who became the next world champion?”

Anand answers, “Garry Kasparov from Russia. He remained the champion from 1985 to 1993”

Seriously, Raghuram asked, “Good. Tell me who defeated him?”

Immediately, Anand said, “Karpov from Russia. He was the champion from 1994 to 1999.”

Quickly Raghuram asked, “What about 2006?

Coolly, Anand answered, “Waldimir Cramnik, sir.  Our Vishwanath Anand defeated him and became the world champion in 2007 and 2008.”

Raghuram felt very happy to hear all perfect answers. Then he asked some questions on the method of playing chess. He asked, “Good. Now tell me about the different varieties of chess.”

Smiling, Anand said, “There are three varieties of chess. The Challenging game, Rapid chess and Bridge chess.”

Impressed, Raghuram asked, “Correct. Do you know about seconds?”

Happily, Anand answered, “Sir, in the world championship each player has a team helping him with the moves. They plan and advice him. They were called seconds. They are also grand masters.”

Happily, Raghuram said, “You have understood chess very well. Do you know who helped Vishwanath Anand as seconds in the world championship in 2008?”

Quickly, Anand answered saying, “Yes sir. There were 5 main people. Rustum Kasim Muddanav, Peter Nelson, Surya Shekhar Ganguli, RV Jeck, Vans Walter Smith. The once grand master Kasprov was giving advice on phone.”

Hearing this, Raghuram was very impressed. He got up from his seat and came near Anand. Patting the boy’s back, he said, “You are an extra-ordinary boy. Tell me who your inspiration is?”

With admiration, Anand said, “Three people have inspired me most. First is Mother Teresa. The second is Abdul Kalam and the third is my mother. She taught me to play chess and playing with her every day, I became the district champion.”

Raghuram closed his eyes for a while. “What about Mother Teresa? Any reasons?”

With great happiness, Anand said, “Yes, Sir. My mother works in Mother Teresa’s institution. I go there very often. I have read many books on her great service to mankind. I met Abdul Kalam when he was our president. He came to our school one day and gave chocolates to all the children. He even touched my cheek. I like him very much.”

Raghuram relaxed and smiled. He said, “I am surprised to hear you take their names. Modern children always take the name of film heroes. You were different. It reflects your character.”

All smiled happily looking at the small boy.

Raghuram said, “Really you are a wonder boy. I am pleased with you. From tomorrow, you can come to my academy for training.”

Anand noded happily. “Thank you, sir.”

From the next day, as soon as he returned from school, Anand started going to chess academy on bicycle for chess training. In the morning, he went jogging with Raghuram in ground and in the evening Raghuram taught him chess. Anand also played chess with other students. Anand learned quickly and impressed everyone.

Days passed by. One day Rekha and principal went to meet coach Raghuram to enquire about the progress of Anand in chess. Raghuram was very happy to see them and told them that Anand was such a brilliant student.

Happily, Raghuram said, “He is really good at chess. I am sure that one day he will become a world champion.”

Principal was most excited to hear this. “I am so pleased to know that one world champion will be born from our school. We are all very proud of him.”

Raghuram said happily, “Sure. But I like his discipline and kindness. I am so much impressed with his hard work. Training him, I have started to love him like my own son.”

He looked towards Rekha and smiled saying, “Rekha madam, you are lucky to have such a golden son.”

Rekha smiled proudly. “Thank you, Sir.”