World Chess Championship 2014: Viswanathan Anand Says Magnus Carlsen is Tenacious in His Play

Viswanathan Anand will face Magnus Carlsen in the 2014 World Chess Championship and the Indian chess Grandmaster has termed the defending champion's play as "tenacious."

The five-time world champion lost to the 23-year-old in the 2013 World Chess Championship in Chennai. Anand made it to this year's event in Sochi after coming out on top during the Candidates Tournament.

The 44-year-old says he is confident about his game and is in a positive mood ahead of the big clash against Carlsen, starting from Saturday.

"He (Carlsen) has achieved a lot and is tenacious in his play. He will definitely come to Sochi motivated," Anand was quoted as saying by NDTV.

"I am in general, happy with my chess performance this year. Actually in 2013, I had some good results but those were marred by a few bad losses."

"In 2014, I was more consistent in Khanty Mansiysk and Bilbao and played the chess I enjoy playing. So I would say I approach Sochi with positive feelings."

"Sochi is a great venue and Aruna (his wife) was very impressed when she inspected it a few months back. They have held the F1 and hosted the winter Olympics. So I think it will be excellent."

"Russian chess audiences are always appreciative and some warm weather should be good," he added.

Anand has been part of the World Chess Championship six times since 2007. The former world champion says he is surprised at the number of appearances he has made in the World Chess Championship, but admitted that he is looking to learn more from the upcoming event in Russia.

"Really six in seven years, I didn't realise it. Like I said, I really compete with myself. There have been times when you think you have had enough and always, after a few moments you realise - NO you always want more!" the five-time world champion said.

"Chess for me is something that I am fascinated with. I still realise that there are so many openings to learn from, to explore more."

"New variations to uncover, the ones that can blow the lid off, making months of work redundant. Still, when I start work on chess, I feel like a six-year-old with a chessboard, waiting at Tal club to play Blitz," Anand concluded.