'Unexpected Bonus'

Anand, who had a roller-coaster ride after his record fifth Corus win whichcatapulted him in the ELO 2800 club last year, said he had seen the title comingwith three rounds remaining but top-ranked Veselin Topalov's loss in a laterround ensured him the career-best placement in FIDE rankings.

The Indian Grandmaster, who was just four ELO points behind Topalov in theJanuary list, will for the first time in his career climb to the number one spotwhen the International Chess Federation updates the list in April.

"I thought I will win the title here but the world number one rankingcame as a bonus. It is completely unexpected, a pleasant surprise. I am up therewith my best performance," Anand said from Madrid.

Anand said although he did not try for it, the feat meant a lot to him and itwould add to his confidence ahead of the World Championship match slated inMexico City in September.

"For any sportsperson it is a very special feeling. It is good for myconfidence," he said.

"If you just play and find yourself in the number one spot it's nice.But it's kind of funny that at 2803 I was second in the world but that now atsomething less I'll probably be number one in April."

Anand will gain eight rating points to be ELO 2786 while Topalov, ELO 2783,is set to lose 18 points.

Having conquered everything now, what would be the driving force for him toexcel further?

"The main thing is go on and enjoy. I am always motivated to play chess.I will play for the love of the game," he said.

The former world champion, however, said he would "start from thescratch" in the World Championship match.

He was happy that it would be played in Morelia too, his happy hunting groundduring the just concluded tournament.

"I was tied-first in the Morelia leg of the tournament and I am happythat I will come here again to play the World Championships.

"I'd return to Morelia in an instant. We had a good time, theacclimatisation in Patzcuaro was also great," he said.

The 37-year-old player said he went ahead and took his chances in all thegames without compromising even for a half point en route to his second title inLinares after 1998.

"I made more points in Morelia but I think I played well in both places.I was in trouble in quite a few games but I took my chances in all games. Idon't think I conceded even a half point when did not need to," he said.

"Perhaps most important was to save the half, in fact, a point against(Peter) Leko in Morelia. First, because Peter is a tough opponent and to beatLeko with black is going to help you in a tournament.

"Also it was the seventh game and I would have had five days to thinkabout losing had it not gone well. So it was important not to lose that one andit gave me a good state of mind for the second half," he said.