We do have surprises up our sleeves for Nepo: Peter Heine

CHENNAI: World champion Magnus Carlsen and coach Peter Heine Nielsen have been an inseparable force since their association began in 2013. Danish Grandmaster Peter --- who earlier had a successful stint with Viswanathan Anand from 2002 till 2012 --- has played a big part in Carlsen reaching the pinnacle of the sport. As the four-time champion gears up to defend the world title against Ian Nepomniachtchi in UAE from November 24, Peter is aware of the task that awaits him.
“We try to do the usual --- a few camps, opening preparation and getting into physical shape and look forward to the event,” Peter told TOI without giving much details. As part of their preparations for the big match, Carlsen and his team spent a couple of weeks last month training at a resort near Cadiz in Spain. Is there a difference in terms of how the team is approaching the clash against Nepo as against the previous World championship matches against Anand, Sergey Karjakin and Fabiano Caruana? “Not really, but I wouldn’t tell you if we did. Hopefully, we do have some surprises up our sleeves, but they are supposed to be exactly that: surprising,” Peter said.
Nepo and Carlsen have played each other since their junior days. The duo were on the same side of the fence during Carlsen’s World championship contests against Anand in 2013 and 2014. “They have been friends for a long time, but rivals too. Nothing unusual there, and they met during the 2014 match when Nepo and (Vladimir) Potkin showed the idea used to win in Game 6 (against Anand),” recalled Peter. That particular match had seen Carlsen blunder on move 26 but still went on to win against Anand.
While Nepo is often regarded as a risk-taker, Carlsen has been known for his solidity both in preparation and in execution. It is Carlsen’s ability to come out unscathed in tricky situations that sets him apart. Despite many labelling Carlsen as the favourite to retain the title, Peter is clear that Nepo will be no pushover. “Maybe (the two have) different styles, but the challenge is the same. The winner of the Candidates is the rightful challenger and (Nepo) has proven that he is ahead of the rest,” Peter mentioned.
The pandemic has seen a significant jump in online chess. Does Peter see a window for ‘online’ games to be included in World championship finals or even at the Candidates? “It would be cool if e-sports organizations included us and even had official titles. But it should be left for the commercial actors like chess24 etc. FIDE should stick to over-the-board,” Peter pointed out.