The Anand Files by Michiel Abeln (hardcover)

The Anand Files by Michiel Abeln is an English-language hardcover chess book that takes you behind the scenes of Viswanathan Anand’s three consecutive World Championship matches. It is not just a record of games, but a close look at the preparation, planning and pressure that shaped Team Anand’s work at the board.

What this book covers

Michiel Abeln spent several years gathering material and speaking with members of Anand’s team, which gives the book a detailed view of the matches against Vladimir Kramnik, Veselin Topalov and Boris Gelfand. Alongside the game analysis, it shows how the world champion and his seconds approached opening preparation, match strategy and the many ideas that never reached the board.

The result is a book for readers who want to understand elite chess preparation from the inside. It will appeal to ambitious players, as well as anyone interested in World Championship history and the work that happens away from the spotlight.

Edition details

• Author: Michiel Abeln
• Language: English
• Binding: hardcover
• Page count: 512 pages
• Publication date: 20 November 2019
• ISBN: 978-1-78483-067-0

This edition runs to over 500 pages and combines match analysis with the human side of top-level competition, including stress, responsibility and teamwork. It is a strong choice for readers who want a deeper look at how a World Championship campaign is built.

Michiel Abeln on the project

Abeln is a Dutch FIDE Master, and his background also includes work as a trainer and leadership coach in the business world. That experience comes through in the way he presents the team’s work under intense pressure.

Viswanathan Anand’s verdict

In the foreword, Viswanathan Anand wrote:

“I love this book. The level of detail is fabulous, and as I read it I felt I was reliving the entire five-year period during which these three matches happened... This is the definitive book on those three matches.”

Reviews and praise

“The book is an absolute page-turner: I read it from cover to cover in a few sittings and I cannot imagine anyone not doing so!

The book is beautifully produced, as always by Quality Chess, in a hardback edition with many insider colour photos of the team.”

GM Matthew Sadler, New in Chess

“The immense detail on display would be a marvelous accomplishment were Abeln an internal member of the team, but what makes the work so astounding is that he was not present for any of the events he describes. Through extensive interviews of Anand’s seconds and some impressive detective work, Abeln has produced one of the best match books in the history of chess literature.

The Anand Files is a triumph, beautifully written and accompanied by more than one hundred full-color photos. Abeln has done his subject justice and the only flaw in the work is that it ends.”

John Hartmann, Chess Life (full review)

“The Anand Files by Abeln is a massive masterpiece with deep insights into the inner workings and psychology of the team of a World Champion. It is really amazing how much work is required to prevail at the highest level.”

GM Karsten Müller

“If you have ever wondered what it’s like inside the team of a participant in a World Championship match, wonder no longer. Michiel Abeln’s 'The Anand Files' provides a front row seat to Viswanathan Anand’s battles with Vladimir Kramnik, Veselin Topalov and Boris Gelfand through interviews, game analysis, reporting and more... [This] is the rare chess book that can be enjoyed by a wide audience from the armchair warrior to the hard core professional.”

IM John Donaldson

“With over 500 pages, the book is a bold work and it looks beautiful: a hard cover, beautiful paper and photos in colour... For me, The Anand Files has been a fascinating reading experience. It is clear that Abeln has put a lot of work into the book and the result is impressive... I would heartily recommend the book to anyone who likes to read about chess.”

IM Koen Leenhouts, schaaksite.nl (full review in Dutch)

“Anand Files may be my favourite book of the last 20 years.”

IM David Vigorito

“The history of the world chess championship has long been a fascination to me and the contents of this book are extremely interesting. It is wonderful to be able to take the place of a fly on a historical wall to see just how Anand prepared for the three big matches.”

Sean Marsh, CHESS Magazine

Key details

• Product type: hardcover chess book
• Author: Michiel Abeln
• Language: English
• Subject: the preparation and match play behind Viswanathan Anand’s three World Championship matches
• Opponents covered: Vladimir Kramnik, Veselin Topalov and Boris Gelfand
• Page count: 512 pages
• Publication date: 20 November 2019
• ISBN: 978-1-78483-067-0