The World Championship is back once again after 7 years with the man who deserved it the most. Everybody was confident of Vishwanathan Anand winning it again, with only Vladimir Kramnik being a genuine hurdle. However, silencing all doubters, V.Anand became the KING OF KINGS in chess.

V.Anand became the World No.1 Player in Chess, first time in April-2007 when FIDE declaired their new ELO Rating Chart. He was very nearer to 2800 Elo, capping off a brilliant journey that began over two decades ago. But the head that wore the crown rested uneasy till he became undisputed world championship on September 31-2007.

Though Vishwanathan Anand, 37 had won the FIDE World Championship in 2000, beating Alexi Shirov in Tehran (Iran), a section of the chess community continued to call him only “FIDE Champion of 2000 not recognizing him as world champion. For them, that distinction belonged to Vladmir Kramnik, who had claimed the title by beating Garry Kasporov, in London in early 2007.

And though V.Anand never held any grudge against all those who refused to credit him with the world champion’s status, he proved a point to them when he went into the final round with 1 point advantage over Israel’s Boris Gelfand and required just a draw against Peter Leko of Hungary, to clinch the crown, without losing a single game and pocketed a prize purse of $3,00,000.

For this World Championship Title, the format with 8 GM’s playing each other twice, was tough. The difference between the top player and the eighth player was only 70 Elo points. Anyone would have tripped anyone.

However it was V.Anand and his intellectual talent, supreme ability and calm-composed temperament, that was responsible for him to come out undefeated. It went pretty well except for that one scary moment against Grischuk.

The final standing in this World Championship of 8 GM’s was,

ROLE OF MRS. ARUNA V.ANAND, WIFE OF V.ANAND

Mrs. Aruna V.Anand played a big role. She took care of his health, controlled his eating habits and served as a ‘Personnel Secretary’. She boosted his confidence, and allowed him to focus his concentration only on chess games. Anand stuck to his prepared analysis rather than invent new moves. She advised V.Anand to apply simple tactics in complex situations, to be practical about the win or draw in view of the time control especially against Kramnik, Gelfand and Peter Leko.

She gave a valuable advice to Anand for instance not to Blitz during the opponent’s time trouble. (Anand plays very fast and usually puts the opponent in time trouble).

Anand forgot about this advice while playing Grischuk and got into hot water (He salvaged a draw from a losing position in the 13th round.)

TENSE MOMENTS

There were many anxious moments in this tournament. Anand started on a fluent note but found it very difficult in 11th round (against Morozevich) and in the 13th round (against Grischuk). Both the games were very tough. However he was able to overcome those because of his mental toughness, inherent talent, and his hard work.

Credit goes to Mrs.Aruna V.Anand. She encouraged Anand to jog and spend some time in the gymnasium. She regularly gave sessions of Yoga and Meditation. The result was correct move in correct time, in correct situations in the entire tournament. Anand has not lost his native ability.

Even though Anand and Kramnik were better than the rest, there wasn’t much difference between the other players. Few know that despite being a pioneer, V.Anand is humble, graceful even in defeat. That’s why his success makes us so happy.

WINNING THE WORLD IN A MOVE

Over the years, the awards, accolades and landmarks have piled on V.Anand. The most significant landmarks achieved are
1983: First National sub junior title.
1984: Youngest Asian IM at age of 14.
1986: Youngest National Champion in Indian Chess at the age of 16
1987: First Indian and Asian to win World Junior Championship. First Indian to become a GM and the world’s youngest, at the age 17
1995: First Indian and Asian to qualify for World Championship.
1998: First Indian and Asian to win Chess Oscar (for 1977).
2000: Emerges FIDE WORLD CHAMPION in New Delhi and in Tehran (knock out title).
2003: Pulls a fast one on World Champion Vladimir Kramnik, beating him in the World Rapid Chess.
2006: First Indian and Asian to cross 2800 ELO Rating.
2007: First Indian and Asian to become undisputed World Champion

NUMBER GAME

INTERVIEW WITH INDIAN PRESS

Congratulations on becoming the world champion. How does it feel and how did you celebrate?
Thanks. It’s great—to retain the World No.1 ranking and become the undisputed world champion in the same year is a wonderful feeling. This win is as sweet as my first World title in Tehran.

How did you prepare for this world championship?
Not really but before the start of this championship, I worked with Peter Heine Nielsen (a Danish GM). In India, I worked with Sandipan Chanda (from Kolkata) and with Konguvel and Saravanan (from Chennai).

Do you feel in terms of legacy etc. that you are at the peak of your powers? What is the shelf life of a world champion these days?
(Laughs) I hope I can remain at the top for some time (Anand has been among the top three since 1997 and the undisputed No.1 since April this year) The Average age in chess is dropping fast and the shelf life is also shortening. The average age now is in the 20’s. There are hardly any in the 30’s (Anand is 37)). All indications are that chess is becoming younger, but I feel good enough to remain at the top.

Is it a different world from Michael Tal and others who stayed at the top into their 60’s?
Yes, there is almost no one in the top 30 who is over 60. But then experience is also important. In this World Championship, us senior guys (Anand, Kramnik and Gelfand) did well coming out on the top. We were able to cope better and I guess experience was important.

Computers have become so much a part of the game. Indian fans wonder if you will be the last human world champion?
Yes, computers are already stronger than humans in chess and there is a separate championship for them. Processor speeds are doubling in every 18 months and our brains are not growing as fast—may be 2% every year (laughs). I try and stay on top and get the latest all the time.

VIEW FROM ACROSS THE FIELD

The World Championship title is back with the man who deserve it the most.
...Dibendu Barua, 2nd Indian GM

We are very proud of Anand. He has done the nation proud.
...Dilip Turkey, Hockey Player

It’s a fantastic achievement from a great sporting icon. His consistency and performances over all these years have been inspiring
...Rahul Dravid, Cricketer

He has proved his class. I have been following his exploits. He is a great ambassador of chess the world over.
...Pankaj Advani, cueist

It always great to see Indian sport persons perform. We are racing towards becoming world champions in several sports
...Narain Karthikeyan, racer

Great news for Indian sport. V.Anand has consistently done well and I only hope this performance spurs more Indians to take to chess.
...Bhachung Bhutia, footballer

Winning the World title is the best thing that can happen to anyone and it shows your class. V.Anand is a legend as his career proves.
...Jeev Milkha Singh, golfer

I am delighted for his convincing victory and World title. One billion people back home wanted him to win and he proved himself
...Tania Suchdev, Chess Player

SUPERLATIVE PERFORMANCE

His merit for winning the Title goes to his hard work, inherent talent, exploiting the position by introducing new innovative moves and for his perfection in the final stage (finishing the game).

In the days of 20-20 Cricket, Anand’s triumph in chess is important for Indian sports.

Although the public at large seem to be crazy about glamorous cricket icons, it is V.Anand, Leander Peas, P.T.Usha, Prakash Padukone, Kapil Dev, Dibendu Barua, etc who are the greatest sports persons produced by India. When they started, adversity was all that they encountered, but it didn’t deter them.

By winning the World Champion Crown V.Anand became an idol for kids in India and the world over.

Vishwanathan Anand was given the Padma Vibhushan Award for 2007. He was also voted DNA Sportsperson of 2007 (ahead of Yuvraj Singh, M.S.Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Sania Mirza and Jeev Mikha Singh). We wish him to add many more feathers in his cap. He should strive continuously to better his record.

Anand’s 11th Round game was undeniably the most spectacular, from an audience point of view. It features a sharp opening, opposite sides castling, wing attack by both sides, exploitation of d5 hole, pawn race, allowing a pawn promotion with check, hidden knight fork ... all in the course of a single game!

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Nbd7 9.g4 Nb6 10.g5 Nh5 11.Qd2 Rc8 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Rg1 O-O 14.Kb1 Qc7 15.Qf2 Nc4 16.Bxc4 Bxc4 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.Rxd5 f5 19.gxf6 Rxf6 20.Qe2 Nf4 21.Bxf4 Rxf4 22.Rd3 Qd7 23.Nc1 Rcf8 24.a3 Kh8 25.Na2 Qh3 26.Rg3 Qh5 27.Qg2 Rh4 28.h3 Qh6 29.Rb3 b5 30.Nb4 Rh5 31.Qf1 Rh4 32.Qg2 Rh5 33.Nxa6 Bh4 34.Rg4 Bf6 35.Qe2 Rxh3 36.Rxb5 Bd8 37.Rb8 Qf6 38.Nb4 Rxf3 39.Nd5 Qf7 40.Qa6 h5 41.Rg2 h4 42.Qxd6 Be7 43.Qxe5 Rxb8 44.Qxb8+ Kh7 45.Qc7 Bf8 46.Qxf7 Rxf7 47.Rg4

47...Rf1+ 48.Ka2 Rh1 49.e5 Bc5 50.e6 Kh6 51.Rc4 h3 52.Rxc5 h2 53.Ne3 Ra1+ 54.Kxa1 h1=Q+ 55.Ka2 Qe4

And now for the finale

56.Re5! 1-0