Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand discussed the impact of computers on modern chess thinking in a recent interview at Jerusalem Chess Masters. He highlighted how engine analysis have changed positional understanding and increased tactical focus among younger players.

Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand

Former World Champion

“I think there are things that the younger generation feels that we don’t, because they don’t have the old knowledge, and of course there are things that we used to know that they are still to discover. So, I would say it’s in both directions. It’s not at all one-sided. I think if you think that your understanding will save you — you’ll be in for a rough time. I think for them it’s easier because they have not developed strong aesthetic preferences of where the pieces should go and so on. You know, dogmatic thinking. They think in a very tactical way, which is how computers show us. So, I think both sides have to learn.”

Anand remains active in rapid and freestyle chess. He believes both older and younger generations have valuable insights to learn from each other.

Credit: FIDE/Michal Walusza