Agency report
Mexico City, Sep 30: World Number 1 Viswanathan Anand has regained the World Chess crown, which he first won in Teheran in 2000.
Anand, 37, replaced Vladimir Kramnik of Russia as the champion on Saturday, winning the Championship with a tally of nine points after playing a quick 20-move draw with Hungarian Super Grand Master Peter Leko in the 14th and final round of a tournament that he dominated from the start.
Anand had survived a tense game in the penultimate round on Friday, when he fought grimly to draw his five-hour game with Russia’s Alexander Grischuk.
The Indian whiz, who is one of only four men to have gone past the 2,800-Elo ratings barrier, wins a prize of USD 390,000.
In the press conference that followed, the new champion said, "You can imagine how I feel. This is something very special for me.
"I want to thank all my friends who helped me a lot. I want to thank my wife who has done everything to keep me in a good shape for competing. I also want to thank my trainer."
He also thanked "Mexico for its hospitality, not in so many places you can find as many chess fans as here. I always feel great in Mexico."
Get set to compare and contrast...
"Cheque" de India !
Comment on this article
Lancy Saldanha, Bendur / Watford (UK)
Mon, Oct 01 2007Fantastic achievement Anand. There are many kids in India who play Chess. I am sure they will be following you, your moves on chess board and you are and will be a role model to them.
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Roland Correya, Mangalore/Dubai
Sun, Sep 30 2007Absolutely fantastic ..... nobody in any sport from the sub-continent ( except for Jansher Khan in squash)has dominated a sport the way Vishwanathan Anand has dominated. From the Philipines where it all started to today at Mexico.What a strong competitor has Anand been.Congrats to Vishy.
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Anu, Manipal
Sun, Sep 30 2007Vishwanathan Anand has been one of the silent players, who has been doing India proud. Has any government thought of honouring or felicitating him by some rewards? Congrats to him for adding another feather to hiis hat, and wish him all the very best for the future endeavours.
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