Magnus Carlsen Is The New World Chess Champion

Magnus Carlsen Is The New World Chess Champion
By Arvind Aaron

Magnus Carlsen of Norway became the 20th chess player in chess history to become the world chess champion. He defeated Viswanathan Anand 6.5-3.5 with two games to spare in the best of 12-series at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chennai on November 22, 2013.

Since becoming the World No.1 ranked player three years before, Carlsen was expected to win this title but the question was when. Now, he won three games and drew seven to take this match. Carlsen said he settled into the match in games three and four. “Here I found that he was as nervous as me,” said Carlsen. He also called these games as the turning point in the match.

Playing the match in the home town of the World Champion, Viswanathan Anand, Carlsen did well to win the title with a 6.5-3.5 score. Carlsen was supported by a large group of Norwegians citizens, family members, journalists numbering over 30.

The long game that lasted over five hours made the Norwegians grow little impatient. Finally, they applauded and draw was agreed. The players address the press separately in crowded press conferences.

Carlsen arrived a little early when Anand’s press conference was on and had this to say. I was honoured to play one of the greatest player of all time. I am very very happy to win the match.”

From the Anand angle, he would be playing in the Candidates Tournament in Feb-Mar 2014 in Russia and hoping to qualify to play another match with Carlsen next year. “I am not looking so far ahead,” said Anand. Now I will take rest, find out what I did not achieve in the match. I will play in the Candidates, said Anand.

“Clearly, he (Carlsen) dominated the match. Full credit to him,” said Anand. Game five was a heavy blow. I tried to match him in long games and he thought that was a mistake. Anand would be playing in the London Chess Classic in December this year and has had one good event winning the Baden Baden Tournament earlier this year.

Carlsen won his biggest prize purse of 1.53 Million dollars while Anand will receive 1.02 Million dollars for this match. Carlsen won games 5, 6 and 9. The rest of the games were drawn. Anand missed his chances in game three.

Many FIDE officials said this was the best organised World Championship Match in two and a half decades. It was organised by the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association and sponsored by the Tamil Nadu Government with a budget of Rs.29 Crores.

Many came expecting a quick draw and an end to the World Chess Championship. However, the players kept playing and as per rules there could be no draw offer made before black’s move 30.

Media presence was large and most expected the match to end. Anand played the Sicilian defence with the black pieces. Carlsen went for the Rossolimo attack. After the first 20 moves the play was level and it looked more like the Maroczy bind position.

After 36 moves they were in a level knight ending. Carlsen’s advantage was small as he had a three to two pawn advantage on the queen side. Anand’s advantage was on the king side as he had a four to three advantage there.

If Carlsen made a slip, black will have winning chances said the commentators and this kept the spectators alive to a nice game. After 65 moves, a great game and match ended in a fighting manner.

The moves:

White: Magnus Carlsen
Black: Viswanathan Anand
Sicilian Rossolimo, B51:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Bxd7+ Bxd7 7. c4 Nf6 8. Bg5 e6 9. Nc3 Be7 10. O-O Bc6 11. Qd3 O-O 12. Nd4 Rc8 13. b3 Qc7 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Rac1 h6 16. Be3 Nd7 17. Bd4 Rfd8 18. h3 Qc7 19. Rfd1 Qa5 20. Qd2 Kf8 21. Qb2 Kg8 22. a4 Qh5 23. Ne2 Bf6 24. Rc3 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Qe5 26. Qd2 Nf6 27. Re3 Rd7 28. a5 Qg5 29. e5 Ne8 30. exd6 Rc6 31. f4 Qd8 32. Red3 Rcxd6 33. Rxd6 Rxd6 34. Rxd6 Qxd6 35. Qxd6 Nxd6 36. Kf2 Kf8 37. Ke3 Ke7 38. Kd4 Kd7 39. Kc5 Kc7 40. Nc3 Nf5 41. Ne4 Ne3 42. g3 f5 43. Nd6 g5 44. Ne8+ Kd7 45. Nf6+ Ke7 46. Ng8+ Kf8 47. Nxh6 gxf4 48. gxf4 Kg7 49. Nxf5+ exf5 50. Kb6 Ng2 51. Kxb7 Nxf4 52. Kxa6 Ne6 53. Kb6 f4 54. a6 f3 55. a7 f2 56. a8=Q f1=Q 57. Qd5 Qe1 58. Qd6 Qe3+ 59. Ka6 Nc5+ 60. Kb5 Nxb3 61. Qc7+ Kh6 62. Qb6+ Qxb6+ 63. Kxb6 Kh5 64. h4 Kxh4 65.
c5 Nxc5 Draw.