‘Not all players can explain why they play so well; I can’t, Anand can’

Super GM Levon Aronian talks about leaving Armenia to pursue his chess ambitions, falling in love with India, discovering Satyajit Ray and why his list of the sport’s GOATS is ‘a bit different’

After claiming the rapid title at the Tata Steel Chess a fortnight ago in Kolkata, Arjun Erigaisi was well-placed to take the blitz crown as well. But the 18-year-old sensation faltered at the last hurdle, losing to Levon Aronian in the tie-breaker.

At the closing ceremony, Aronian explained why Arjun did not win the blitz title. “The only reason is...that Arjun is a very strong chess player, but physically he is not strong enough to carry two cups,” said the World No. 6. And the packed audience at the National Library auditorium burst out laughing.

A few moments earlier too he had made them laugh when he said that meeting Viswanathan Anand in his new role as an organiser of the tournament was a different experience for him. “This is the first time I am seeing him as a person who doesn’t want to hurt me,” he said.