March 30, 2014 4:52 PM IST
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 m
