Pictures by Alina L'Ami
In the first part of our interview with Adhiban we spoke about how the India number three mentally prepared himself for the big challenge of facing the best players in the world at the Tata Steel Masters 2017. In the second part we ask him whether he remembered Karpov's famous manoeuvre, which was similar to what he played against Andreikin. How did he choose Scandinavian against Magnus Carlsen, and what are his views on Anish Giri's play.
SS: After beating Andreikin you wrote, thrilled to have beaten the super solid Andreikin. You made this very interesting move Nb1!? Did you by any chance remember the game between Karpov-Spassky from their Candidates when Karpov went Nb1-d2-f3!
Adhiban- Andreikin, Round 8
In this position Adhiban retreated his knight from c3 to b1 with the idea of not only kicking the knight from d4 with c3 but also preparing Nb1-d2-f3 and finally to g5!
Karpov - Spassky, 1971 Candidates Semi-finals
I am sure you can guess what Karpov played in the above position?
BA: I wish I had remembered that game of Karpov during my battle with Andreikin! It was all original, and that’s why it took more time and energy to find it, I knew about that game of course, but during the heat of the battle I didn’t recollect it.
SS: Against Wei Yi you had a completely lost position out of the opening. How do you defend such inferior positions? You are known for your tenacious defending abilities.
BA: I am able to defend such positions, because I don’t want to lose. And also Wei Yi is considered to the next big thing in chess, so I didn’t want him to have that title without a fight!
The battle between two Asian superstars!
SS: And then the big duel! Against the World Champion Magnus Carlsen! How did you decide to play the Scandinavian?!
Adhiban's Scandinavian had Magnus Carlsen confused
BA: Once again it was my trainer’s idea. Most of the heavy work load fell on my friend Vishnu of course, but he managed to find the courage to keep checking it. I had been waiting for a long time to play with him, hence everything else didn’t matter I just wanted to face him with my strongest self!
SS: A draw is a wonderful result, but you had the Alekhine-like (Reti-Alekhine 1925) …Re3!! To win the game. Did you miss it altogether?
Reti vs Alekhine, 1925
Alekhine shocked Reti and the chess world with the very powerful ...Re3 in the above position. Adhiban had a similar opportunity in his game against Carlsen...
Carlsen - Adhiban, Round 11
...firstly Adhiban had to attack the rook on d1 with ...Qg4! After the rook moves to e1 he had a killer stroke...
...Re3 would have finished off Carlsen!
BA: I did see the winning idea but I assumed it was only good enough for a draw and I was trying for more. I was sad for roughly about one minute, but then I realized it was at only one moment, sometimes that is all you get against these players. I just told myself next time I won’t miss such a chance.
Adhiban drew his game against the big boss of the chess world Magnus Carlsen
Magnus Carlsen knows that he would be facing Adhiban many times in the future!
SS: Anish Giri in one of the video interviews said that if there was one player he had to choose whose games he did not understand it had to be Adhiban! Is your opinion the same about Anish as well? Or do you understand his playing style well?
BA: Funnily enough, my respect for him hugely increased in the first four rounds when I was really struggling against these top players. To be unbeatable against these elite players tournament after tournament is no joke. I applaud him for that. Once he figures out a way to control his style he could very well become like a superior version of the great Tigran Petrosian!
Adhiban thinks that Anish Giri, who is his good friend, can become a superior version of the great World Champion Tigran Petrosian
SS: Last round against Richard Rapport seemed like a very easy win for you? Was it like your opponent was burnt out and tired? How did you sustain physically?
BA: Yes now it does seem like that, but during the game I was very focused because Rapport is definitely a huge talent and never to be underestimated in any circumstances. I think it was more based on form, if he had been on good form he would have been much more dangerous.
As for my physical fitness, I was doing floor exercises before the rounds and used to take walks on the beach. To put in a nutshell : “I just take walks and beat monsters!”
SS: What does this third place performance mean to you? Do you think you are right up there with the best?
BA: It means a lot to me, since I have to prove myself and that I can hold my own against this type of field. From a Qualifier in the “C” group, I have now become a Master!
Yes I do feel like I am ready, but of course I still have to keep getting stronger (never forget about that). It would be great If I could get more invitations, 2750 is the next barrier I need to aim for. I need to be patient and use every opportunity I get.
SS: What is your opinion about Wesley So? How does he win such strong events with such ease?
BA: I have known him since childhood and he always had this computer like precision in calculation or positional play, it is amazing how strong he has become. I guess he is able to win such strong events because he can maintain his top form in every tournament he wins!
The winner of the Tata Steel 2017 – Wesley So
SS: What are your next tournaments? And what’s your aim for the year 2017?
BA: I have got Aeroflot and then later on Asian Continental where I get a chance at qualifying for the World Cup and then World teams and the journey continues… (ed- Adhiban's performance at the Aeroflot Open which will conclude on the 1st of March was not at all impressive)
SS: Adhiban, thanks a lot for your time and effort.
BA: Anytime! I would also like to take this opportunity to Thank ChessBase and ChessBase India for their support and encouragement and Firstpost for covering the chess scene in India so intensively. Also special thanks to my trainers Ubilava, Visweswaran, my friend Vishnu. I am also grateful to All Indian Chess Federation (AICF) for always supporting me in my chess journey. There are many more in the list I wish to thank, one day!
My parents who have been my pillars of support, helping me become what I am today and wanting me to be sportsperson even before I was born! Lastly for choosing chess over football!
Firstpost and ChessBase India have collaborated to bring you extensive and detailed coverage of the chess scene in India and internationally. This article was first published on the Firstpost website on 18th February 2017.
On 1st of March 2017, Adhiban's second GM Vishnu Prasanna will be present at the ChessBase India online live show on Playchess at 4.30 p.m. CET (9 p.m. Indian time). All the details on how to watch the live show can be found here.
