This is in reply to inquiries from the press on GM. NIIT Brand Ambassador Viswanathan Anand's stand on the current status of the unification of World Chess.

For the record Anand was not present at the 6th May meeting for the reason that the deal was already made even before all parties came to a common ground to discuss these matters.

On the day Anand won the Eurotel trophy, GM Yasser Seirawan explained to Anand that the solution had already been reached. Kasparov would get his rematch entirely on the terms that he has so long been waiting for. It was indeed surprising that this was presented as a solution for the chess world.

Therefore seeing that the meeting was just a formality Anand declined to attend.

FIDE did not even consult it's top players who by virtue of doing well in their Championship cycles do not get an opportunity to be part of the unification plan. Anand hopes that unification would at least ensure a just cycle in the year 2004.

Speaking on his immediate plans, Anand said "In the next two years, I will have more time to spend in India. In this period I do hope to work with the present crop of young Indian talent. It has been my intention to start an academy. This may be the best time to lay the foundation for that. My focus will be my chess and I hope at least in the larger picture chess will benefit from this plan."

For further information / queries please contact Kuruvilla Abraham at tnq@eth.net