IM V Saravanan talks World Chess Championships, tells Vishy Anand stories, recommends chess books

V. Saravanan is an International Master, a chess journalist and a voracious reader of chess books. Saravanan resides in Chennai, India, but joined me from St. Louis where he had just concluded covering the Sinquefield Cup for Chessbase. We discussed:  IM Saravanan’s impression of the St. Louis Chess Club, and of the tournaments  he had just covered.  Stories and impressions of Super GM Viswanathan Anand who he has known for decades. What makes Anand a special talent and person? Saravanan also shares broader perspective about the Indian chess boom.  Saravanan expounded on the incredible YouTube video he did, showing off his chess library to IM Sagar Shah. He rattled off a few more favorite chess books and shared his views regarding chess improvement.  Thanks to Saravanan for an entertaining and informative conversation.