Both these tournaments helped Anand regain his confidence, and by his admission, “finally in the chess playing zone” before coming to Calcutta. Anand confessed he has evolved over the years and is playing “modern chess” which at one level is based upon more information. A deeper understanding of positions and counterplay help a modern chess player. This is apart from the basic parameter of quick thinking, based more on intuition and perhaps often at a compromise to astute logic. How could Anand never forget any of his chess games?

Source: The Telegraph January 15, 2026 00:03 UTC