What are your impressions on Game 10?
It was an interesting position. I simply blundered when I played Qg5 and he got the e5 thrust. After that, the knight ending is very dangerous - I can't tell you the precise evaluation but I had calculated that the line he played was drawn.
And what about the match?
In general, (Magnus) Carlsen clearly dominated. At the start I had hoped that I had the ability to last out long games without mistakes creeping in. But the way I lost Game 5 was a heavy blow - just what I couldn't afford to happen. Before that, I had hoped that I would not be afraid of errors in long games. After that, it got worse and worse. I guess when it rains, it pours.
I think you should all just congratulate him. The mistakes I made did not come of themselves; he managed to provoke mistakes and full credit for that.
Will you put Game 3 in context as a possible turning point?
In hindsight, maybe. While I was obviously disappointed at the time, I didn't attach excessive significance to it. Even with hindsight, Game 5 was when it started to go wrong for me.
Could you have chosen a better successor?
(Smiles) I did not choose him - he won.
Are you relieved to be no longer the world champion?
It takes some pressure off in terms of the burden of expectations but it would be too excessive to say I am relieved.
What are your plans?
I will get some rest, take some stock of the situation, before I think of these things. My play was a big disappointment and I need to know what went wrong.
Yes, I will probably play the Candidates in 2014.Any message to Indian chess fans?
Well, I'm disappointed, and sorry it was not a better match. Despite all your support, I'm sorry my play never really got going.
What was your strategy?
It was all about executions - I thought I need to do things well, without making errors. This has been a big problem for me in the past year.
In the end, I guess I managed not to understand either him or me - not sure which!
