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One loss in 10 games should not affect Viswanathan Anand's psyche too much considering the fact that he has pierced Vladimir Kramnik's armour thrice in the on-going best-of-12-game World Chess Championship final here.
A player of Kramnik's calibre would obviously not take things lying down and was bound to hit back.
Though the equation may have altered slightly, the gist remains the same, still favouring Anand who is leading 6-4. Anand still needs just that one draw to retain his World title. And GM Pentala Harikrishna, who arrived here on Monday night to watch his idol during the last stages of the final had no doubt that the Indian would have his draw.
"I don't see any problems in Anand achieving that draw. He just has to maintain his cool and play naturally on Wednesday. We are professionals and though a defeat hurts, we have to take it in our stride. I would think yesterday was rather just an off day for Anand," Harikrishna said.
Yesterday's rest day will help Anand get back into a positive frame of mind and also work out on board his line of action for the 11th game. This was much needed as Kramnik was maintaining a good rhythm in the last two rounds. In the ninth game on Monday too, Anand escaped narrowly with some good defence but it was Kramnik who was in the driver's seat.
"I will celebrate Diwali tomorrow. Why not," was Anand's instantaneous reaction to a query yesterday.
He however, refused to elaborate on how he would celebrate the festival of lights. It will not be a holiday but another working day for Anand and his team as they ponder and prepare a gameplan for the 11th game in order to make it the last game of this match.
Kramnik's camp was however boosted by the win though the big Russian refused to analyse his comeback chances.
"I prefer not to think what my chances are, though I think they are less than 50 per cent. However, I'm happy with the decent positions which I have been getting for the last couple of days," said the Russian.
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