Anand wins world chess crown
Defending champion Viswanathan Anand, 40, was officially crowned here
on Thursday as the world chess champion for the 2010-2011.
The Indian grandmaster retained his title against Veselin Topalov in
12-game match achieving 6.5 points while the challenger managed to get
5.5 points.
Closing ceremony
Chief Arbiter Panaqiotis Nikolopoulos declared Anand the world
champion at the official closing ceremony attended by Bulgarian Prime
Minister Boyko Borissov, head of the organizing committee, and the FIDE
President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
Ilyumzhinov crowned Anand with winner’s ribbon, laurel wreath and a
gold medal, Borisov gave him a Cup, and the organizing committee greeted
Anand with his favorite song. Checks from the price fund, 1.2 million
euros (about 1.6 million dollars) for Anand and 800,000 euros (about
1.07 million dollars) for Topalov, were not provided to them at this
ceremony.
“It was not so heavy for eight-million Bulgaria to lose with one
point only against one-billion India,” Borisov told the ceremony. “We
are ready for revenge,” Borisov added.
First game
The first game in this match started on April 24 when Topalov with
whites won. Followed Anand’s victory, a tie and a second success for
Anand.
Fifth, sixth and seventh game were draws but Topalov came back into
the match winning the eight game for 4-4. After new three ties and
5.5-5.5, the 12th game on Tuesday was decisive whether it would be
tie-break games but Anand with blacks won this game and the match.
Xinhua
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