In 1995, defending his world title against Viswanathan Anand at the World Trade Center in New York, Garry Kasparov famously behaved so badly (banging the moves on board and slamming the door in the 10th game after losing the 9th one) that the then 25-year-old Anand was extremely upset by the display of bad manners. Anand lost that match.

Thirteen years later, it was Kasparov, the highest-rated chess player in the world for over 20 years and widely considered the greatest chess player that ever lived, who cheered every single move that Anand made against Vladimir Kramnik and even offered tips. Anand defended the World Chess title yesterday.

Frederic Friedel, the owner of one of the biggest chess software giants, ChessBase, and one of the people Anand publicly dedicated his title to, said Kasparov followed each and every game of the match and was very keen that Anand win. "Garry was calling me every day after the match and was clapping and jumping with joy
at Anand's achievement."


Vishy deserves the win in every way: Kasparov

"Basically, he likes Anand a lot and admires him. They had lot of battles on the chessboard and Garry personally and professionally genuinely likes Anand. He was also offering tips to tumble Kramnik."  However, Freidel said he had not passed on the tips to Anand and his team. As they were working like a well-oiled engine, he did not like to distract or disturb the balance.

"Moreover, I did not really bother because Kasparov had called Anand before the match and if at all he wanted any help to be delivered, he would have done it then," added Friedel.

Hailing Anand's win, Kasparov said on ChessBase, "Vishy deserved the win in every way and I'm very happy for him.

"It will not be easy for the younger generation to push him aside. Anand played consistently, but Kramnik showed decline in strength and had some work to do. This result ends the illusion that Kramnik is a great match player."


Vicarious win?

In 2000, Kasparov lost his title to Kramnik, the man who had been a student of Kasparov's at the legendary Botvinnik/Kasparov chess school in Russia, and had served on Kasparov's team for the 1995 match against Anand.