World Chess Championship
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FIDE World Championship Match (FWCM), this year takes place in Chennai, India, between November 07 and 28. FWCM 2013 will consist of 12 games and if necessary, tie-brake games. “Rules and Regulations” for the tournament can be reached via link here. Photo from FIDE Official web site. |
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Championship this year brings defending World Champion Viswanathan ANAND and challenging Magnus CARLSEN together.
Anand first became FIDE World Champion in the year 2000, but his name was known since a decade ago at the top level. He is tremendously quick minded and has an ability to work hard. Therefore, it is no surprise that since 2007 he is undisputed Champion. On the other hand, Magnus Carlsen – or namely the Mozart of chess – became a grandmaster at the age of 13, in 2006. At the moment, with his outstanding ELO rating of 2870, Carlsen is the highest rated player in the chess kingdom.
On these grounds, whole chess world was locked to the matches among this duo as of November 7th. However, it took only 16 moves for the first round, and 25 moves for the second round to be completed. Both games ended in draw with repetition of moves. Although this was a total disappointment for the audience, it was prudency according to players in a long battle. When it comes to third round it was more exciting with 51 moves and with various fights for pieces and area. However, the result was a draw again, which carried each player to 1½ points in total.
You can check the analysis of games by Jerry from the Chess Network by clicking the links below:
When it comes to following games we have witnessed another draw at fourth round. It was one of the most exciting games so far with various mid-game options and a rook-pair end. Finally at the fifth round, Carlsen managed to reach a victory with whites after 58 moves. Despite having pawn weaknesses, white lead the game with its greater activity. For the sixth round it was once again Carlsen who had a win, but this time with black pieces. There were some novelties in the Anand’s game, and more or less this was also seemingly a draw. However, Anand’s choice at the 60th move created an opportunity for Carlsen and he did not miss it.
In the third quarter of the tournament Carlsen made his way to his first title very close. Now all he needs to grasp it is only a draw. But I think he will get it with a win as Anand will be under pressure and will force the game. If we have an eye on the brief summary of games left behind; we had draws in the seventh and eight games and a win by Carlsen in the ninth game. Game seven was pretty much similar to first round and ended with triple repetition in a symmetrical position. On the other hand game eight was the first time Carlsen opened e4 in the tournament and we witnessed an open game. But an open file did not bring anything more than exchanges and a draw. Surprisingly Anand played d4 in the opening of ninth game for the first time, too. However, Carlsen’s bishop change and pawn march made Anand’s opening troublesome. So, quuen-side and king-side games took place, which eventually brought victory to Carlsen.
Game 7
Game 8
Game 9
Here are the scores after ninth game with a reminder that whoever hits the 6½ points gets the title.
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Eventually, Carlsen reached out for his new title without prolonging the tournament. On the tenth game, he was playing with white pieces and struggle for the centre was the theme of the game. We have witnessed some changes and good manoeuvres from both parties. Consequently, there was a phase of major piece change and race to queen with passing pawns. However, killing move was Carlsen’s change of knight at the 46th move in order to start this race. Then Anand forced to accept the draw one way or another.
Thanks to both players and chess community who contributed to this event, and congratulations to Magnus Carlsen for his new title of the World Chess Champion and for inspiring many people with his talent which is accompanied by hard work.
Ergun UNUTMAZ, (Updated on 25/11/2013)