After the eighth game, the players, Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand spoke to the media. Here is the entire transcript:

Q: (FIDE Press Officer) We were slightly delayed, can you please explain what happened?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) We had to be notified about the doping control.

Q: (FIDE Press Officer) What do you think about the doping control? Do you think chess players has something to do with this?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) Well, it is a bit late for that discussion.

Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Let us go to the game. Today was a draw. Can you tell us what happened?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) Generally a fairly solid system for white. Not entirely without chances if black plays inaccurately. The only interesting moment was when 23…Qg5, then 24.h4 is very strong. So, after Qd8 we liquidated to a king and pawn ending.

Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Magnus, your comments please?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) He played the Berlin. I played the most solid line … yada yada yada, we go to the doping control.

Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Magnus, were you surprised by your opponent’s opening choice. Since you played the Berlin before already in this match?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) He has played different systems against me in the past. Berlin is one of the systems I had to recommend. It was not a major surprise.

Q: (FIDE Press Officer) You also played this system in 2010 and there were two draws. What was the plan today and what went wrong? Which scenario you preferred today?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) Obviously I had to be ready for any scenario that turned out. After d4 and c3 this is what I could do.

Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Were you surprised by Magnus’ choice of 1.e4 today. He used to play Nf3 and c4 before?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) In general in a match you should not be surprised. I had not prioritised 1.e4.

Q: (Amit Karmarkar, The Times of India) Anand, at any point how close were you in deciding the Sicilian. Since you are trailing we were expecting sharper lines?
A: (Viswanathan Anand) I did not really know what his intentions were. Even the Sicilian, if you want to play the dry system they are available. It is not like there were clear options there. I thought little bit (two minutes) and decided to go for this. Well the match situation speaks for itself.
It is my job to liven it up. I guess I will try in the next game.

Q: (Ebenezer Joseph, Shubsandesh TV) How happy are you with the opening preparation by your seconds? In the match so far, you are yet to give some dynamic play in your partially disclosed seconds and secretly undisclosed seconds?

A: (Viswanathan Anand) I am quite happy with my opening perparation. This is not the time to start analysing things. I get a bonus evening before the rest day and so I will try and prepare something for the next one.
A: (Magnus Carlsen) Let us discuss this after the match.

Q: (FIDE Press Officer) Magnus, many people say you do not pay too much attention to the opening. I read an interview of Caruana who said you are good in choosing openings which are not pleasant for your opponent. What do you think about this?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I mean Caruana is a very good player and a clever guy. There must be something to what he says.

Q: (Ashok Venugopal, New Indian Express) With a two point lead did you come with a win in mind or a draw?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I did not particularly mind the draw as was evident from my play. I was just setting one or two traps.

Q: (V Kameswaran, United News of India) Two draws and one rest day. Coming ninth round and tenth round and then rest and then two games. You must win?

A: (Viswanathan Anand) Well, the match situation is fairly clear now. This was a short two relatively easy games. Obviously I have to try in the next one.

Q: (T.N. Ragu, Deccan Chronicle) Anand revealed his team of seconds even before the match. After the eighth round are you ready to reveal the team now?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) No.

Q: (Paul Truong, USA) This question is for Magnus. A lot of fans are asking you are having a very unique style for somebody so young. How did you develop that style? Is there a player whom you look upto when you were young?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) I did not have a particular bible in chess when I was young. As a young player I was trying to play attacking chess sacrificing material all the time. A bit different from what I do today. Although I am playing the game for a long time I have been playing top level for seven years.
I have had some time to adjust to the situation and adjust to the other players and develop my play.

Q: (Ole Rolfsrud, NRK TV) Can you explain why you average only 30 seconds per move by your 23rd move?
A: (Magnus Carlsen) With the line I chose there was not too much to think about. The moves very much suggest themself. It has been played before. There wasn’t too much to think about. I wasnt in any mood to think either. That influenced my decision.