Yes he is the World Champion again. Might be, for a man who has won five World championships in the classical format, this victory may not rank at the very top. But he must be very happy indeed with this win.
India’s master chess man, Vishwanathan Anand, was not at his best form this year. With minimal win, it was a tough year for Anand. But the year-end King Salmon Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship at Riyadh brought him back to his form. The genius finished on top with 10.5 points at the end of the 15th and final round and in the process also defeated World Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway.
“This win was so unexpected, I had no plans to come when it was announced so late,” said Anand. The master was not prepared when he entered this championship. He was violently criticized after his loses in Leuven Grand Chess Tour in July and London Chess Classic. His age was questioned; even his mindset was under the scanner. Anand himself was disappointed with his performance as he sighed after Leuven Chess Tour, “There’s no point playing chess like this. I think I was playing just mental.”
Five months later, by winning the World Rapid Championship, he put an end to all his retirement assumptions. Rather, at 48, he proved that he could still challenge some of the best in the business. Anand won against Peter Leko in the second round which gave him much confidence. However, the win against Carlsen was the turning point. “To beat Carlsen who has been so dominant in the last few years felt like an accomplishment,” Anand said.
Vishwanathan Anand entered the final phase of the event tied second. Round 15 saw Anand draw with Bu Xiangzhi while Calsen went down to Grischuk. This result meant that Anand was tied with Vladimir Fedoseev and Ian Nepomniachtchi, both of Russia. A tie-breaker was required to decide the winner. Anand won that mini match against Fedoseev, who is 26 years younger, 2-0 to win one of his most memorable crowns in a long career.
