German GM Luther criticises Anand for taking Kasparov`s help

Mumbai: German Grandmaster Thomas Luther has backed Bulgarian Veselin Topalov and has hit out at Indian ace Vishwanathan Anand for having taken the help of two former champions Gary Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik during successful defence of his world crown in Sofia last month. The decision of Anand to take the support of current World No 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway against Topalov, too, did not find favour from the 40-year-old German, who said the Scandinavian could be the Indian maestro`s next rival for the world crown. "If I were in Topalov`s place I, too, wouldn`t have appreciated if an outsider had interfered in our match and taken side," Luther, currently in the city to take part in Mumbai Mayor`s International tournament, told reporters in an interview at the Goregaon Sports Club. "While Kasparov has retired, the real motive behind Kramnik and Carlsen helping Anand will only be known in the future," Luther said. "Carlsen is the World No 1 and is likely to be the next challenger to Anand`s World Championship crown," he added. Topalov also, in a media interview after his loss to Anand, had said the Indian ace should not feel "very proud" of having taken the help of the two Russian greats who were his past rivals for the world crown. Topalov had pointed out the disparaging way Kasparov treated Anand when the two clashed for the crown previously and remarked he would never accept help from persons who had humiliated him in the past even if it was offered free. Luther also warned Anand to be wary of the Russians as they were likely to target his world crown. "In Russia, the school of chess is very strong. The game has many followers there. It`s a question of honour for them to have a world champion." Luther, who followed Anand`s triumphant run to the world crown against Topalov, said the rivalry between the two has helped generate interest in the sport among the media. "The World Championship series between Anand and Topalov attracted a lot of attention from the media. It is good for the game which otherwise is not considered as spectator-friendly," the German GM said. "That Anand won the Championship in the 12th game and the series went till 5.5-5.5 points itself shows how close it was. In the end, Anand`s victory was well deserved," said the German, who attained his highest world ranking of 80 ten years ago. Luther felt teenage sensation Parimarjan Negi had the potential to carry forward the legacy of Anand, but added it hinged on the youngster`s keenness to do so. "Negi is still very young but he has already reached a strong level in chess. He can be the successor to Anand. It, however, all depends on how big is his ambition to win." Luther said he was astonished with the popularity of the game of 64 squares in the country of its birth. "Chess does not have too many takers in Europe. But I am happy with the popularity of the game in India." He also wondered why many top Indian players skipped chess events held in this country. "But I am surprised to see that apart from Anand, many other top Indian stars skip events in India. I don`t know the politics here," said the German, who has been seeded 17th in the Mayor`s Cup. For many, the division of Germany before its 1990 reunification was a painful experience, but for Luther it was one historical happening that paved the way to take interest in the game of chess. "I was brought up in (erstwhile) East Germany which was controlled by the socialist regime of the then Soviet Russia. It was the Russians who brought the game of chess to Germany and, probably, that is one of the reasons why I got to play chess," he said. "However, what happened during the period (in East Germany) was not something to be remembered and it`s good that East Germany and West Germany have unified," he added. On his future, the German said he had no further ambition and will continue playing as long as he enjoy it. "If it is success, it is good but its no longer the objective. I will continue as long as I am successful. Once I am done I may take up coaching," he added. PTI