Anand is undisputed king of world

The dispute is over. Viswanathan Anand is world chess champion without a shadow of a doubt. The Indian overcame a spirited challenge from Challenger Vladimir Kramnik of Russia leans back before his first move with the black stones in the 11th game against defending Chess World Champion Viswanathan Anand in Bonn on October 29, 2008.
Vladimir Kramnik of Russia by drawing Game 11 of the 12-game series in Bonn on Wednesday to put at rest questions about his ability to perform against quality opposition in match-play.


A 6.5-4.5 win in the series against Kramnik gave him the world title for the third time, his first in match-play.

When he won the world title in Tehran (2000) and Mexico (2007) in tournaments, he had not got the credit he deserved. On the first occasion, Kasparov was still active, winning in classical chess. In 2007, Kramnik had already become a champion having beaten Kasparov in 2000 and subsequently other contenders as well in match-play.

Even when Kramnik finished behind Anand in the 2007 world championship, Kramnik had challenged Anand to beat him in the 2008 unification match to be acknowledged as the real world champion. "I have lent Anand the title temporarily," he had declared then.

Anand's retort was over the board and not through words. He planned his assault perfectly, prepared well for the match in Bonn and won in style. He would probably regain his No 1 world ranking soon, though his Bonn victory would not give him more than 12 or 15 points. More significantly, he has added a new dimension to his chess and can claim he is currently the best all-round player at the moment.

Anand clinches it with 24 moves draw

A brilliant move to shift his opening back to the King-pawn gave Viswanathan Anand the much-needed breakthrough. With his 24-move draw in the 11th game in the World Chess Championship match against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn on Wednesday, Anand sealed his position as the undisputed champion. Anand won the 12-game match 6.5-4.5.

Anand took out his trusted opening move at the right time. The Indian opened with the King-pawn after shielding it for his five white games in the current series. Kramnik avoided the Petroff and went for the Sicilian in an effort to get a decision in the game which was so crucial for him to stay alive in the match. Kramnik employed the Najdorf variation, which he has not played at top level chess for a long time.

It may be recalled that Anand had found success against the Najdorf of Kasparov in New York (1995) and on that day the famous Argentinian Grandmaster (Miguel Najdorf) was present at the World Trade Centre to comment on Anand’s victory over Kasparov.

After Kramnik’s ninth move, shifting his Queen to the centre of the board, Anand thought for more than 10 minutes for his 10th move. Anand chose to castle on the Queenside and prepared his pieces for a Kingside offensive. One of the interesting features of the unusual opening was that it was slowly executed and by the time both the players completed the first 15 moves, they had used up an hour each on their clock.

Then in a tactical shot, Anand broke open the King-file and combined his pieces effectively. Kramnik was fighting with his back to the wall as he had a poor pawn structure and his King was exposed to the attack from the white pieces. When Anand forced the exchange of Queens on move 23, Kramnik realised that he had nothing more than a draw in the position. After 24 moves, Anand had 36 minutes left to Kramnik’s 27 for the remaining 16 moves.