Dubai: Five-time world chess champion Vishwanathan Anand is delighted with the talent that is emerging every day from his sport, not only from his home country India but also from around the world.

Speaking to Gulf News, Anand who is here to play in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club, said: “I am happy the way chess is progressing, though one can always ask for more. I think there are many promising players and so it is satisfactory [for the sport].”

Anand lost his world championship crown last year to one such young talent in 23-year-old Magnus Carlsen from Norway after winning it in 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. In fact, Anand’s sterling performance had inspired many youngsters to take up the game in India.

When asked how satisfying it is to be the role model for many youngsters by having shown them the way to the top, Anand said: “It is indeed satisfying. A lot of Indian players are playing here in the event and having a big contingent here itself is very good.”

However, Anand does not like to look back.

“I am not looking back, but in general India is progressing very well in chess. In many areas we are doing very well,” he said.

Personally, Anand is looking forward positively as he is gearing up to face Carlsen in the world championship match scheduled for November 5 to 25, in Sochi, Russia, in a bid to regain his title.

Anand enjoys playing all formats of chess, and for him Rapid and Blitz Chess are challenging.

“They are clearly challenging formats, and they are also different from what we normally play. Rapid and Blitz chess are not new formats, they are just different,” he said.

“In this chess it is very important to shape your end and see how quickly your thinking is over which you have no clue before. These are formats where you find out in what shape you are while it is happening,” said Anand.

Does he think chess needs an event like cricket’s Indian Premier League to boost its popularity?

“We have an event called the Maharashtra Chess league and hopefully we can build on that,” said Anand, who was present at the tournament auction where some of the top Indian players were up for sale and some players even netted close to Rs120,000 (Dh7,332).

Of his advice for aspiring chess players, the 44-year-old added: “It is the same that I have been saying for the last ten years. Practice a lot and there are no shortcuts.”