PTI

New Delhi, Oct 5: Newly-crowned world chess champion Viswanathan Anand on Thursday, ridiculed the championship rules that will require him to play the former champion Vladimir Kramnik in a few months' time to retain the title.

The 37-year-old Indian Grandmaster, who won the championships last week in Mexico, said that the International Chess Federation (FIDE) formulated the complicated rules to win a few votes during their election last year and hoped such a cycle would not be repeated in future.

"These are ridiculous rules. It was decided by FIDE during their elections last year in order to win a few votes. I hope it is not repeated in future," Anand said.

Under the FIDE rules, Anand will have to play Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, the previous Champion who finished second in the World Championships in Mexico City, in a match-play format next year.

Whoever emerges victorious between Anand and Kramnik, will then play the winner of the match between former champion Veselin Topalov and the claimant of World Cup title in Russia later this year.

Anand said the game of chess was becoming younger with time but refused to agree that it was a late achievement for him.

"It is not late at all. The previous two champions, Kramnik and Topalov are younger as they are in their early 30s. But without any resistance, the older players are also able to do well," he said.

Anand had first become the world champion in 2000 and then it took him almost six years to reclaim the title. He is the first Asian to be crowned the undisputed world champion and the second from outside Eastern Europe in last 60 years. America's Bobby Fischer held the title from 1972-75.

Anand, who is planning to visit India in the middle of October, though he has not finalised the exact dates, was enjoying the honour being lavished on him in Spain, where he is based.

"It was really a nice reception in Spain. The Mayor also called me up and congratulated," he said.

The world number one, who next heads to Turkey to play some of the club matches, said he was still enjoying the feeling of being the champion and was not thinking about the match against Kramnik.

"I am happy and the feeling is gradually sinking in. I will play a few club matches in Turkey now. I have not given a thought to the match against Kramnik (which he plays next year). It is just a commitment," he said.

Anand also did not say how long he was going to play competitive chess.