Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen, in Chennai, on Thursday

Chennai: Defending champion Viswanathan Anand will start his campaign with black pieces against Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the 12-round World Chess Championship, here, on Saturday.

After declaring the Fide World Championship Match 2013 open, Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa picked the photograph of Anand from the first bowl and a black piece from the other during the draw of lots for the match.

Anand will get back-to-back white games in round six and seven when the changing over would be done. As per rules, the player getting white in game one has to get black in game seven to make it even for both participants.

The five-time world champion is used to opening with black pieces in the event.

Earlier, Anand did something unusual. At a packed media conference before the inauguration ceremony, Anand revealed the names of his seconds.

In the 64-square game, seconds are like secret agents and the common practice is not to reveal their names thereby keeping things shrouded in mystery.

But Anand chose not to tread the beaten path. He revealed that apart from his long-standing seconds in Grandmasters Radoslaw Wojtaszek of Poland and Sandipan Chanda, there are two new entrants — Peter Leko of Hungary and Krishnan Sasikiran.

Leko himself played the match for the world championship against Kramnik in 2004, and considered to be an Opening theoretician of highest level.

Carlsen, the challenger, was taken by surprise. But he kept his cards close to his chest. “I appreciate Anand’s openness, but I am not going to return the favour,” he quipped.

Though it is widely known that Team Carlsen always included his fellow countryman Jon Ludwig Hammer, the details of other members remain a secret.

Anand is not known for indulging in mind games in any of his World Championship matches, repeatedly ignoring jibes from his opponents. He had downplayed statements from his opponents Vladimir Kramnik and Veselin Topalov, or his detractors like Garry Kasparov.

Anand promised an attacking game. “As always, I worked hard. Couple of months of training and I think I am ready to attack. We will see how it goes, but I think I am ready to play.”

Both Carlsen and Anand looked fitter than their usual selves. Carlsen’s team has revealed that he spent his major share of preparation at the Kragero Resort in southern Norway, playing beach volleyball and football. And en route India, Carlsen had another practice camp at Muscat, for two weeks, to acclimatise himself to the warm and humid Chennai weather.

Even after landing in India, Carlsen spent the initial days of his stay at a beach resort in the outskirts of Chennai, before arriving at the Hyatt Regency, the official venue of the match.

His manager, Espen Agdestein indicated that Carlsen intends to spend time at the beach resort in the rest days between the games.

Carlsen downplayed the view of some experts that he will start as a favourite. “I do not know if everyone considers me a favourite, but in general I expect to do well in tournaments. If I manage to do well, I can win and that will be my mindset here as well,” he said.

International Master V. Saravanan, who has worn the India colours, will be covering the face-off exclusively for The Telegraph