Shirov says he's ready to take on Anand

Shirov says he's ready to take on Anand

NEW DELHI, DEC 18: Spanish Grandmaster Alexei Shirov is keeping his cards close to his heart as he readies himself for the all-important six-game World Chess Championship final against India's Viswananthan Anand. ``I am under no psychological pressure of playing against hot favourite Anand,'' Shirov said on the eve of his departure to Tehran, where the finals will be played from December 20 to 23. The World No 2 Indian, who is known for his quick-thinking moves, however, said he would think about the match only after reaching the Iranian capital.

The Latvia-born Shirov was accepted that he was the underdog, but said he was fully ready to take on Anand.

``I don't want to reveal my plans for the final games,'' Shirov replied to a question on how he was planning to tackle Anand.

In the New Delhi leg of the men's championship, Anand remained undefeated throughout and cruised into the final with a 2.5-1.5 win over Michael Adams of England.

On the other hand Shirov survived a scare before beating Russian teenager Alexander Grischuk 2.5-1.5 in the four-game semifinal here.

Shirov said in the absence of chess wizard Garry Kasparov and former World champion Anatoly Karpov his chances of winning the title has increased.

``I was also relieved not to see their faces at the World Championship,'' Shirov said in a sarcastic tone.

While Karpov has been admonished by FIDE for demanding to join the championship at the semifinal stage, Kasparov has always been at the loggerheads with the chess' World body.

Kasparov floated his own rival world championship where his bid to defend his title after seven years against a self-chosen opponent fell flat when fellow Russian Vladimir Kramnik beat him in the 16-game Brain Games World Championship early this year.

Kasparov's efforts last year to organise the Worlds came to nought due to sponsorship problems after Shirov emerged as a challenger from among Anand and Kramnik.

Shirov, who like Anand, joined the Championship in the second round, termed his clash with Russia's Evgeny Bareev as the toughest one.