Chennai: World Champion Viswanathan Anand has advised the participating players to stay focused when they compete in the World Junior (Open) and World Junior Girls Chess championship which will begin in Chennai on Tuesday.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the championship, Anand, who was the chief guest, recalled his formative years when he was played in the junior ranks.
He said he got fascinated to the world junior chess event after reading the biography of great players like Spassky and Karpov, who considered the championship very important.
"I was keen to win the World Juniors but failed to do it in the first three attempts at Finland and Norway. And, when I finally won the event at Manila, Philippines in my fourth attempt, I was a bit relieved," Anand said.
"From there on my career graph took a big leap forward," he added.
Welcoming the participants to his own home town, Anand advised the players to be relaxed and stay focused.
PTI
First Published: Monday, August 01, 2011, 23:11