Excerpt quotes from Magnus Carlsen's visit to Chennai

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen will play India’s Vishwanathan Anand in the World title match in Chennai in November this year (Getty Images)

World Championship 2013 Challenger and World No.1 Magnus Carlsen recently visited Chennai, the venue for the match. He was swamped by journalists and many cheering fans. Here are the top five quotes from his visit (For the full list of best comments by Carlsen in Chennai, check out www.worldchesschampionship2013.com):

– “I can speak for myself, and I am not part of the computer generation. I grew up with a chess board and books.” (When asked if younger players such as Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Luigi Caruana, Sergey Karjakin and he are more computer-centric, as regards preparation and the way they approach the game as compared to Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, Boris Gelfand and others.)

– “The Russians are still a force in chess!” (The last time two non-Russian-speaking players played for the World title was in 1921 with Jose Raul Capablanca versus Emmanuel Lasker in Havana, Cuba.)

– “I respect Anand. But I don’t fear him. Am pleased with all the arrangements here.”

– “Of course, I should recognise that Anand is the World Champion. He is a great player. But the kind of form he is in now gives me confidence. I have been successful in the last few outings with him.” talking up his chances before the clash with Vishwanathan Anand.

– “As along as I am in top shape and work on the game, I think, I have every chance to win. I am sure anyone will go into a world championship with a supreme belief that you will win. I also will come back to Chennai with the belief that everything is in my favour.” Carlsen expressing confidence on returning to Chennai well prepared.

Magnus Carlsen will play India’s Vishwanathan Anand over 12 games in the World title match in November later this year in the city of Chennai.