"Those who say they understand chess, understand nothing" -- Robert HUBNER


Magnus Carlsen becomes World Champion

: Created:22 Nov 2013 , by

Carlsen with his 6.5-3.5 victory becomes the youngest champion in history. Norwegians are dancing with joy tonight - except those who prefer football.

Credit to Viswanathan Anand because in the last two games he fought like a Spartan warrior and went out on his shield.

In game nine Anand who had the White pieces used the Samisch Variation against Carlsen's Nimzo Indian Defence. At the cost of a pawn he developed a strong kingside attack but Carlsen defended with great precision. Carlsen queened a pawn with check to give himself two queens and when Anand blundered with a knight instead of a bishop retreat. Carlsen found the right move to force Anand's resignation. Analysis subsequently demonstrated that even against the strongest move Carlsen had more than sufficient resources to draw.

In the tenth with the score, Carlsen 6 Anand 3, it was always unlikely that Anand with the Black pieces could muster an attack with sufficient strength to upset Carlsen. Anand started with the right idea by adopting the Sicilian Defence which often gives a double-edged middlegame. Carlsen kept the position under control with his centralised rooks but failed to capitalise when Anand mistakenly played his queen to g5. Anand with no realistic hope of victory played on and on until both sides were reduced to bare kings.