Much to the delight of his fans in India and the world over, the 48-year-old Anand won the World Rapid Championship in Riyadh, proving his mastery in the 64-square board game once again. “Becoming world champion again is the most amazing feeling,” Anand tweeted. Known as the ‘lightening kid’ during his school days, Anand convincingly won the world rapid tournament to bring back a world chess title to the nation that gave the world the game itself. “I was happy on hearing the news. He played against an incredibly strong field and won the title undefeated,” Aruna Anand, the champion’s wife, said.
She said Anand goes to tournament with an open mind and will not say anything about his chances of winning a tournament. “During the tournament, Anand was more focused. He won crucial games at the right time,” Aruna remarked. Anand’s long-time former rival and Russian legend Garry Kasparov felt that the latest win will help the Indian stun his critics. “Congratulations to the man from the sixties, @vishy64theking, on his World Rapid title! I hope you dedicated this latest victory to everyone who has asked you when you were going to retire!,” he said.
Entering the last round of the Open Rapid Championship, Anand and Magnus Carlsen were tied on the first place with 10 points each. Anand took a quick draw with black against Bu Xiangzhi, and Magnus Carlsen sensed the opportunity to play for a win. But Alexander Grischuk had his own plans and attacked ferociously to eventually defeat Carlsen and drag him down to 4th shared place in the overall standings.
Vladimir Fedoseev won the Russian derby against Vladislav Artemiev and Ian Nepomniachtchi scored against Wang Hao, to both catch Anand on the shared first place. According to the Tournament Regulations, “if there is a tie for the 1st place, the top 2 players according to the first eligible tie break criterion will play a play-off.” Nepomniachtchi had the worst tie-break and therefore won the bronze medal. Anand and Fedoseev proceeded to play two 3’+2” games to decide the Champion. Anand 1,5-0,5 and took the golden trophy.
Ju Wenjun of China continued the good run on the final day of the Women’s Rapid Championship and after scoring two wins and three draws emerged clear winner with 11,5/15 points. Ju modestly repeated her statement from the first day of the Championship, stating that “she was lucky”.
Her compatriot Lei Tingjie was in position to direct a tiebreak match, but she could not win with black against Nana Dzagnidze, therefore being awarded the silver medal. Elisabeth Paehtz claimed the bronze with 10,5 points.
The standings:
Men: 1-3. Viswanathan Anand (Ind) and Vladimir Fedoseev (Rus) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (Rus), 10.5; 4-9. Bu Xiangzhi (Chn), Magnus Carlsen (Nor), Alexander Grischuk (Rus), Boris Savchenko (Rus), Rauf Mamedov (Aze) and Gadir Guseinov (Aze) 10.
Tie-break: Viswanathan Anand beat Vladimir Fedoseev (Rus) 2-0.
Women: 1. Ju Wenjun (Chn) 11.5; 2. Lei Tingjie (Chn) 11; 3-8. Elilsabeth Paehtz (Ger), Bela Khotenashvili (Geo), Pham Le Thao Nguyen (Vie), Ulviya Fataliyeva (Aze) and Ekaterina Atalik (Tur).