This story is from March 31, 2014

Dream start set it up for Anand: Carlsen

Viswanathan Anand fashioned one of the best comebacks in chess history by winning the Candidates tournament on Saturday and his peers and critics were both part of the chorus cheering for the champion.
Dream start set it up for Anand: Carlsen
CHENNAI: Viswanathan Anand fashioned one of the best comebacks in chess history by winning the Candidates tournament on Saturday and his peers and critics were both part of the chorus cheering for the champion.
Speaking to TOI, world No 15 Boris Gelfand, who gave Anand a torrid time during the 2012 World Championship, expressed little surprise over the Indian's incredible show in Khanty Mansiysk.
"I would like to borrow Alexander Grishuk's thought here who said that it is not surprising that Anand played so well, rather it's surprising that he didn't do so in the previous years."
In the immediate afterglow of his title win, world No 1 Magnus Carlsen had summarily dismissed Anand's chances of making much of an impression at the Candidates tournament, tipping Levon Aronian and Vladimir Kramnik as his favourites. Now, with the prediction having turned on its head and a rematch date set up with the Indian, the Norwegian gave him due credit.
"It was a dream start for Anand against Aronian (a player he has not done particularly well against). It doesn't get any better than that," Carlsen said. Pravin Thipsay, the first Indian to attain a Grandmaster norm in 1984, feels the five-time world champion is back to his best.
"The fact that he remained unbeaten throughout the tournament speaks volumes in itself. Finally, Anand is back to playing just the way he's known to - avoiding over simplification and keeping opponents guessing. In last year's title match, he was rather passive in his approach. Carlsen, on his part, is someone who is very level-headed and unlikely to succumb to pressure. It will be interesting to see how the rematch pans out."

Agreeing that the win over Aronian was vital for Anand, Gelfand adds: "The start was an important factor which offered a huge boost to his self-belief and he built on it. I would say both his own consistency and the inconsistency of his opponents worked in Vishy's favour. As far as the rematch is concerned, each match has its history and its own scenario.
"It is impossible to predict, especially so early. Again, it would be premature to say anything now. He lacked confidence in the match against Carlsen (in Chennai), and this victory should do a world of good to his self-belief."
Anand played a wonderful game against Mamedyarov too. A positive start gave Anand motivation, inspiration and more push. Also, he was rock solid in openings and played consistently.
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