Candidates triumph helps Viswanathan Anand set up re-match with Magnus Carlsen
Viswanathan Anand has become the second oldest player in Fide World chess championship history (since 1946) to earn a rematch. He will cross swords for the crown with Magnus Carlsen of Norway – who beat the Indian last November to snatch the title – later this year.
Anand, 44, drew his 13th and penultimate round game with the youngest GM ever, Sergei Karjakin of Russia (became GM at the age of 12 while representing Ukraine), and tallied 8 points in the eight-player Candidates tournament. Five others have 6.5 points, making it impossible for them to catch the Indian.
To earn a World championship re-match at 44 is a mind-blowing achievement. It simply puts Anand in a league of his own. Anand had lost his crown in Chennai without winning a game, and two rounds to spare. Now, he has won the Candidates without losing a game so far and with a round to spare.
Only Viktor Korchnoi was older than Anand (50 years old) when he ‘earned’ a rematch with Analoly Karpov in 1981. Mikhail Botvinnik also dethroned Mikhail Tal in 1961 at the age of 50 but Botvinnik was given a direct rematch.
At the start of Saturday’s round in Khanty Mansiysk (Russia), a draw would not have been enough for Anand to clinch the deal. However, top seed Levon Aronian lost his game to world No. 43 Dmitry Andreikin and made it slightly easier for Anand. Still, it was not a cakewalk. Karjakin agreed to give half a point to Anand only after a 91-move marathon. A win would have kept the Russian’s hopes alive.
Despite attaining what was thought to be unimaginable at the time Carlsen demolished Anand, the Indian was extremely dignified at his press conference. “I won’t deny… this result (winning the Candidates title) is one of the most pleasant surprises that I have had recently,” he said.
He even agreed with the notion that none of the other players in the eight-player meet could get expected results (points). Anand himself came up with stats: “At this stage of the Candidates last year, two players were +4 (difference between number of wins and defeats; and other two were +2. The overall score was +12. But here (in Khanty Mansiysk), only I’m in plus (others are either equal or minus). It’s quite strange. The point is they are not having fewer wins or losses (once they have hit the rough, they have not recovered).”
It’s clear that despite losing his ability to churn out masterpieces, Anand’s solidity and risk-free chess proved to be a big factor in the Candidates. Carlsen, who joined the webcast on phone for the 13th round games, said: “It’s hard to say if Anand is playing any better than he played against me. But then, Chennai was different kind of a game. He is more pragmatic in his approach, maybe too pragmatic at times. The draw against Andreikin in the 12th round is (an example). But his decisions are consistent with his play and approach of attaining equality.”
Legendary Garry Kasparov tweeted: “Anand will be underdog to Carlsen, clearly. But chess history has shown rematches have their own dynamics. Rarely a repeat of first.”
Results (Round 13): S Karjakin drew with V Anand; D Andreikin bt L Aronian; V Kramnik bt V Topalov; P Svidler drew with S Mamedyarov.
Standings: 1. Anand 8 pts, 2-6. Kramnik, Andreikin, Mamedyarov, Aronian, Karjakin 6.5 each; 7. Svidler 6, 8. Topalov 5.5.
Viswanathan Anand’s shots at World titles
Anand has won a crack at the World championship title for the 10th time in his career after finishing first in the Candidates. Anand has had nine attempts in last 18 years and with Saturday’s victory, he has qualified for the eighth Classical title and sixth Matchplay title. Garry Kasparov played eight title matches in 16 years (five vs Karpov and one each vs Short, Anand and Kramnik).
Anand’s world championship record
1. 1995 PCA final vs Kasparov (lost)
2. 1998 Fide KO final vs Karpov (lost)
3. 2000 Fide Ko final vs Shirov (won)
4. 2005 (Topalov champion)
5. 2007 (Anand champion)
6. 2008 matchplay vs Kramnik (won)
7. 2010 matchplay vs Topalov (won)
8. 2012 matchplay vs Gelfand (won)
9. 2013 matchplay vs Carlsen (lost)
10. 2014 matchplay vs Carlsen (awaited)
It has not always been smooth sailing for Anand on the world stage. But whenever he has got a second shot at the same title or against the same player, he has been extremely well prepared for the challenge. So, watch out Magnus Carlsen!
Kasparov said Anand should retire. His career is over and he should give his spot to Caruana or Nakamura.
How can anyone say his career is over when he is still able to beat the world no 2 and earn a right to challenge the crown?
Kasparov is to chess what John McEnroe is to tennis. They both had immense talent and achieved a lot, but they are controversial, have huge egos, and they talk rubbish to everybody.
Losing his ability to pull out masterpieces? Bit rash to say so… why do people keep underestimating Anand is what I don’t get.
Kasparov was only postive about Anand. The first commenter just pulled that comment out of his backside.
Let Caruana or Nakamura qualify for the Candidates first. Then, if they can win the tournament, they’ll have their shot at the World Championship.
Some of the recent Chess followers who have not watched Anand at his best seem to have a very condescending attitude towards him and his chess abilities. This is a guy who was in the top three of the world for around 20 years straight and has won number Super GM tournaments across decades. Many of the players that he seems to be considered inferior to have not even hit top three once in their career.
This will be an exciting match. Prodigy vs Master. Chess will gain more popularity after this match. Nakamura is a spectator again bashing the players on the sideline.
Whelp. This one is a foregone conclusion. Without any jitters that come from a first time WC match, Carlsen wins +4.
Why should be play god? The results will be known in November. Just wait and see.
This time we will encounter a re-match i.e Lion(vishy) vs Tiger(magnus)
TYGER, TYGER BURNING BRIGHT…
As from its ashes rises the Phoenix,
Ah, so we saw at Khanty-Mansiysk!
The Know-alls said the Indian Whiz,
Is a Has-been who has lost his fizz.
Oh, he is past his prime they all said.
Anand- they had given up for dead!
A massacre, they all said lay in store,
Rivals will make merry ‘n’ then more.
At his age, Ha! there ain’t any Hope-
So said the Wise- “No, Nay, Nope”.
But we his fans, we stayed adamant-
Form is temporary, Class permanent.
Our Vishy- calm, stoic, smile in place,
Never lost his cool, never his grace.
And sure he came in from the Cold,
With measured gait, in manner bold.
He led from the start ‘n’ how he did!
When rest around him slipped ‘n’ slid.
He stayed ahead and screamed away,
The ‘Law of Averages’ he kept at bay.
He aced the Test with practised ease,
And put the rest to torment ’n’ tease.
In the end, he had left them, how?
Thunder-struck, in Shock and Awe!
Was he out to prove the point clear?
That he’s still quite formidable, Dear.
Was he out to settle some old score-
When Fate fell foul in faraway shore?
He turned rankings on their heads,
And left many reputations in shreds.
He sent all the high ELOs for a toss,
Left them brooding over each loss.
Flaws all ironed, Game so tweaked,
Not once his fortress was breached.
He let his chess-men do the talking,
Left everyone stumped and gawking.
On the outside, so nice and genteel,
Within- fire, brimstone, grit ‘n’ steel.
Oh, can he cut, bite, maim ‘n’ sting!
With such finesse, craft and cunning.
With minimum fuss, maximum effect,
Rivals he sent into submission abject.
The Gloom is gone, the Mood upbeat,
Foes vanquished and some in retreat.
Can’t resist a Quote- one could say-
“Who came to scoff, stayed to pray!”
Victor- he led his army into the Dawn,
With Grit ‘n’ Gusto, Brain ‘n’ Brawn.
Finally when it was curtains at FIDE,
His Critics had just nowhere to hide.
Age is just a number- ye all behold!
Worth its weight sometimes in Gold.
And when the dust settled ‘n’ stayed,
He was the master of all he surveyed.
A Chess legend, is our Vishy, for sure,
A timeless icon- one that shall endure.
Lo! the Anand we knew is at last back,
To reign yet again o’er White ‘n’ Black.
In this heavenly play of Dark and Light,
A Sun in Daytime, Moon in the Night.
See how he shines- all so resplendent,
With the Best in the Chess firmament.
See how he makes his fans Ga-Ga go,
And at times they have to Ooh-Ah-O!
Call him if one may- Chennai Express!
He is our own Cindrella Man of Chess!
And, so be the moral of this grand tale,
That you never step on this Tiger’s Tail.
(UPENDRA RAWAT)
(Penned during the Candidates-2014
dt 30-03-2014)
Come on Vishy, Come on, Ye !!!
Here’ wishing you have your way.
Upendra (07-11-2014)