Hyderabad: Defending champion Grand Master Vishwananthan Anand of India on Tuesday said that he would be facing a tough field in the World Chess Cup beginning on Wednesday.

Anand, who arrived from Chennai, told reporters that he has not chalked out a strategy of his play as the pairings are yet to be drawn. On other contenders, Anand said, "It's a tough field making the players to go through the league phase and qualify for the knock-out round."

"I would play the tournament on a match to match basis as it suits the format," Anand said. Ruling out the question of any possible challenger, Anand said, "It's an open tournament and the field is strong with 23 other top players."

Affirming that he would strive to improve his ELO rating further, Anand said the format does not give top billing to any individual as each one has to go through the league round to reach the top.

In a word of praise to the strong Indian contingent, more so the state players, he said they are doing well and this would be a good opportunity to prove themselves.

About the delay in confirming his participation, Anand said, "It was due to the delay in clearing his name by the official body," and did not elaborate further.

PTI