"Beating top players is a part of my destiny"

by Aditya Pai
3/3/2018 – Positivity, ambition, a never say die attitude and an enterprising style of play make Adhiban Baskaran one of the best and most loved chess players in India today. Recently, at the Indian National Team Championship, he proved his mettle yet again. After a rather dismal performance at the Tata Steel Masters which concluded a few weeks ago, Adhiban made a strong comeback scoring an unbeaten 8.0/9. In this interview, he talks about how he keeps himself motivated, his first ever head to head encounter with his idol Vishy Anand, his recent gold medal-winning performance at the National teams and a lot more!

The first DVD with videos from Anand's chess career reflects the very beginning of that career and goes as far as 1999. It starts with his memories of how he first learned chess and shows his first great games (including those from the 1984 WCh for juniors). The high point of his early developmental phase was the winning of the 1987 WCh for juniors. After that, things continue in quick succession: the first victories over Kasparov, WCh candidate in both the FIDE and PCA cycles and the high point of the WCh match against Kasparov in 1995.
Running time: 3:48 hours

In the 2017 edition of the Tata Steel Masters, Adhiban Baskaran, who was then a debutant at the event, showed the world that he too can take on the very elite of the world and hold ground. With his spectacular performance, Adhiban not only took third place in a star-studded field but was also invited to the 2018 edition of this premier event.

This year, however, the 25-year-old from Chennai struggled with form and was unable to play up to the high standard he had set for himself the previous year. But despite all disappointment, Adhiban’s optimism was awe inspiring. Until the final round, he fought with all his might and tried to pull out a win regardless of his tournament situation or his opponent.

Adhiban Baskaran at Tata Steel Chess Festival 2018

Adhiban at the 2018 Tata Steel Masters in Wijk Aan Zee, the Netherlands | Photo: Alina L’ami

He was still unable to win a single game in Wijk Aan Zee but his optimism did pay off in the next tournament he played. At the 38th Indian National Teams Championship, Adhiban proved to be one of the most prominent players at the tournament. Scoring an unbeaten 8.0/9, he not only helped his team, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), win the event with a round to spare but also won an individual board prize.

After his phenomenal comeback, we caught up with the man of the moment to talk about his ever-positive mindset and his two contrasting performances. 

AP: First of all, tell us how you managed to pull off such a strong performance at National Teams after what, at the Tata Steel Masters, could be termed as a poor show?

AB: Actually it wasn't just the Tata Steel, but a string of events which didn't go so well. Fine, it went hopelessly bad if you insist — at least rating wise. But most the important thing for a comeback is to accept what happened in the present, maintain your confidence and positive attitude and have faith about the future. It is as easy as it sounds! Since I was able to balance all these I was finally able to make a perfect comeback in National Teams.

Adhiban receiving his board prize at the 38th Indian National Team Championship in Odisha, India

Adhiban receiving his board prize at the 38th Indian National Team Championship in Odisha, India | Photo: AICF

AP: How was Tata Steel different for you this time in comparison to last year?

AB: Tata Steel this time was different because the one win which changed the tournament last time eluded me this time. If I had been able to score a win in the early games, I am sure it would have been a different event! If only I had played Karjakin in one of the earlier rounds! But I wasn't at my best shape/form and these missed opportunities, I feel, affected my run in the tournament adversely.

AP: In your final round game against Kramnik, it looked pretty equal in the endgame until the 35th move when you sacrificed an exchange in an attempt to make something of your 'c' pawn. What made you go for this line and what was the rationale behind the sacrifice?

 
Adhiban-Kramnik, Tata Steel Masters 2018
Position after 34 moves

AB: I overestimated my position after the exchange sacrifice and missed his Re7 move which completely cut my king off from the battle. This key detail proved to be costly. But I had a nice conversation with Judit Polgar after the event and she mentioned that she also took such decisions which resulted in many losses. It is just a perk of being an ambitious player. I have no regrets about making that decision; whether it was stupidity or bravery, you choose.

 
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1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 Bc5 4.Bg2 c6 5.Nge2 d5 6.exd5 C26: Wiener Partie cxd5 7.d4 exd4 8.Nxd4 0-0 9.0-0 Bg4 LiveBook: 8 Partien 10.Nde2 10.Qd3 Bxd4 11.Qxd4 Nc6 12.Qc5 d4 13.h3 Bxh3 14.Bxh3 dxc3 15.bxc3 1/2-1/2 (42) Li,C (2755)-Kramnik,V (2801) Stavanger 2016 10...Qc8N Vorgänger: 10...Nc6 11.h3 Bf5 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Qxd5 Bb6 1/2-1/2 (57) Morrison, C-Carleton,J (2280) Ayr (Scotland) 1978 11.Bg5
Droht Lxf6 und aus. 11...d4 12.Na4 Be7 13.Qd3 h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nf4 Nc6 16.Nd5 Weiss hat Druck. Be5 17.Qb5 Bd6 18.Nc5 Bxc5 19.Qxc5 Re8 20.b4 Kh8 21.Rfe1 Und weiter mit Txe8+ wäre nett. Qf5 22.Nc7 Rxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Rd8 24.Ne8 Beabsichtigt Df8+ und Matt. Qxc5 25.bxc5 Be6 26.Nd6 Rd7 27.a3 Rc7 28.Nb5 Rc8 29.Nd6 Rc7 30.f4 g6 31.Nb5 Rd7 32.Nd6 Na5 33.Rb1 Rc7 34.Rb5 b6 35.Rxa5? 35.cxb6= axb6 36.Rb2 36.Rxb6 Rxc2 37.Be4 Rd2= 35...bxa5= Endspiel KTL-KLS 36.c6 a6 37.Kf2
37...Re7! 38.a4 Kg8 39.Ne4 39.Bf3 39...Kf8 zielt auf ...Ld5 ab. 40.Nd6 Bg4 41.Be4 h5 42.h4 f6 Bloß nicht 42...Re6 43.f5-+ 43.Bxg6 Re2+ 44.Kf1 Re6 45.Nb7 Rxc6 46.Nxa5 Rc3 47.Nb3 Rc4 48.Bd3 Rxa4 49.Kf2 a5 50.Ke1 Be6 51.Nc5 Ra1+ 52.Kf2 Bf7 53.Kf3 a4 54.Ke4 a3 55.Kxd4 Rd1 Precision: Weiß = 55%, Schwarz = 83%. 55...a2 56.c4 Rb1 57.Bxb1 axb1Q 58.Ne4 Qg1+ 59.Kc3 Qe3+ 60.Kc2 Qxe4+ 61.Kc3 Qxc4+ 62.Kd2 Qd4+ 63.Kc2 Bc4 64.g4 Qd3+ 65.Kc1 Qc3+ 66.Kd1 Bd3 67.gxh5 Qc2+ 68.Ke1 Qe2#
0–1
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Adhiban,B2655Kramnik,V27870–1201880th Tata Steel Masters 201813

AP: With regards to the same game, this question is about your positive attitude. Now, the tournament, if I may say so, was a nightmare for you. Being a player myself (not a very good one, but a player still), I know how desperately one might want to finish the dreaded run and go back home. But it was you who complicated matters and took risks in a more or less balanced endgame in the final round. What keeps you so motivated?

AB: Yes there were times when I wanted to just repeat the position and finish the tournament. But then I told myself, "You are better against Kramnik! It doesn't matter what the tournament situation is. You just have to do your best and try to beat him with everything you have got!"

In retrospect, this was, perhaps, completely reckless but I am happy that I did it and next time I meet him across the chess board, he will know that I am looking for revenge! About my motivation, I believe that beating these guys is part of my destiny!

His positive attitude is something to learn from | Photo: Lennart Ootes

AP: You also did extremely well holding Magnus for the most part of your game against him but all of a sudden the nature of the position changed and things went downhill remarkably fast for you after that. Could you tell us how the loss affected you?

AB: Yes, the game against Carlsen didn't go at all as planned. In the opening, my mindset was just wrong. Even when I got a chance to take over, I was just thinking about holding the game. I was quite upset about losing the game but then luckily I remembered a quote from the New in Chess article: "Start of a lifelong rivalry?" So I know it's not just a one-time thing and that I will get my chance again in the future.

AP: Tell us about your draw against Vishy. It must have been a special feeling to draw against someone you've idolised all your life.

AB: I think I was around 10 when I got the chance to play in a simul against Vishy Anand. Back then, I remember telling my parents that I don't want to be just another player who has played against him in a simul. I want to sit in front of him as a fellow player and hold my own. 

Adhiban Baskaran playing against Anand in the fourth round of Tata Steel Masters 2018

"I had to wait so many years for this moment but, in the end, it was so worth the wait!" | Photo: Alina L'ami

In the game, I got a good position but didn't follow up in the best way and it ended in a draw. After the event, I spent almost half a day with him going around Amsterdam and it will forever remain a special memory. I got to learn a lot about himself and his phenomenal memory!

AP: Talking of Anand, he's scheduled to play for the Indian team at the Olympiad this year. How do you think this will affect the Indian team at large and you in particular?

AB: It was one of the best things which could have happened to our team! I am very excited to spend lots of time interacting and exchanging opinions with him. Hopefully, with the addition of Vishy Anand — and if Hari decides to return — the prediction of Vidit Gujrathi, who has already said in an interview during the last Olympiad that we are going to get Gold medal this year, might turn out to be true. It is going to be a very strong team. The other two will be decided later by rating average. 

Interview with GM Vidit Gujrathi at the conclusion of Baku Chess Olympiad, 2016 | PowerplayChess YouTube

AP: Let's talk about your gold medal winning performance at the national teams. Which was your favourite game from the tournament?

AB: I had a great tournament and increased my rating after a very long time. My favourite game was against SL Narayanan as he was the higher rated among the opponents I had faced in the event and also I had previously lost three times to him in the classical format In rapid play, I have won 2 games and I have 50% in blitz, in case you’re curious. The revenge was really sweet!

 
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1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Bf5 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.a3 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.e3 The structure is similar to QGD, but there are a few things which are not the same. The bishop on f5 is much more active, but the knight on c6 looks misplaced. Ne4 8.Bxe7 Nxe7 9.Rc1 0-0 10.Be2 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Rc8 12.Bd3 Nxc3 13.Rxc3 Bxd3 14.Rxd3 Playing against the freeing move ...c5. 14.Qxd3 c5= 14...Qd5 15.0-0 Rfd8 16.Rd2 Nf5 17.Qa4 Nd6 18.Rc1 White has some presure here as Black is not able to free his position with e5 or c5 breaks. Qb5 19.Qxb5 Nxb5 20.Rdc2 c6 21.Kf1 f6 22.Ke2 Kf7 23.Ne1! The knight will be better placed on d3. Rc7 24.Nd3 Re7 25.a4 Nd6 26.b4 Ke8 27.Rc5 Ne4 28.R5c2 Nd6 29.h4 White is gaining space all over the board. While currently nothing concrete can be seen out of it, after a point this will become useful. a5 30.b5!? 30.Rb1! 30...cxb5 31.axb5 b6 31...Nxb5 32.Rc5 32.Rc6 Rb7 33.Nf4 Adhiban goes for active play. He has weakened his b5 pawn in return for other weaknesses in Black's position. Kd7 34.d5! Alert as ever. exd5 34...e5 35.Ne6± 35.Nxd5 Nxb5 36.Rxb6 Rxb6 37.Nxb6+ Ke6 38.Rc5 Nd6 39.Rxa5 White has won a pawn but the technical task of converting it into a win is not easy. At the same time, facing Adhiban in this pawn down position is also not particularly easy! Ne4 40.Kf3 Nd2+ 41.Kf4 g5+ This tactical operation only creates a further weakness. 42.hxg5 fxg5+ 43.Kg4! 43.Rxg5 Rf8+= 43...Ne4 44.f3 Nf6+ 45.Kxg5 Rg8+ 46.Kf4 Rxg2 The material is reduced further but now White has two passers. 47.Re5+ Kf7 48.Nd5 Funnily the exchange of knights cannot be prevented. Nxd5+ 49.Rxd5+- This is now a trivial win. Kg6 50.Rd6+ Kg7 51.Kf5 h5 52.Rd7+ Kh6 53.f4 h4 54.e4 h3 55.Rd3 h2 56.Rh3+ Kg7 57.e5 Kf7 58.Rh4 Kg7 59.Ke4 Kg6 60.Kf3 Ra2 61.Kg3 Kf5 62.Rh5+ Ke4 63.Rxh2 Ra6 64.Rh5 Ra1 65.e6! Adhiban has found the way to break the blockade. Rg1+ 66.Kf2 Rg8 67.Rg5 Re8 68.Kg3! Who needs two, when one can win. Rxe6 69.Kg4 Re8 70.Rg7 Kd5 71.Kg5 Re1 72.f5 Kd6 73.Kg6 The rank cut off is a powerful weapon. Re8 74.Ra7 A great technical effort by Adhiban. 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Adhiban,B2643Narayanan.S.L25731–02018D0638th National Team Chess Championship -7.2

AP: Had you done any special preparation for the National Teams?

AB: Actually, playing the Tata Steel Masters really takes a toll on you. Hence the best I could do was to chill and let my power return.

AP: And lastly, what's the plan ahead? Where will we see you play next?

AB: For now I will be going to Fischer's final resting place for the Reykjavik Open. Hopefully, his spirit will be with me so I can play like him!

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Aditya Pai is an ardent chess fan, avid reader, and a film lover. He holds a Master's in English Literature and used to work as an advertising copywriter before joining the ChessBase India team.

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