FIDE World Chess Championship Match - Anand Retains the Title!

Tuesday, 20 April 2010 04:29

The FIDE World Chess Championship match between the reigning World Champion Viswanathan Anand of India and his challenger Former World Champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria was held from 21st April (opening ceremony) to 13th May, 2010 (closing ceremony).

The match was played at the Central Military Club in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the total prize fund was 2.000.000 EUR. Full regulations can be found here.

Anand won the 12th game of the FIDE World Championship and sealed the match with the final score of 6,5:5,5! Thus he remained the World Chess Champion, congratulations!

The closing ceremony took place on the 13th May, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Mr. Boyko Borisov, who is the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the match, Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, President of the World Chess Federation FIDE, the Minister of Physical Education and Sports Mr. Svilen Neykov, the President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee Mrs Stefka Kostadinova and many other VIP guests.

Photo gallery from the closing ceremony

Tuesday, 11th May:
Anand wins the 12th game and claims the match by the score 6,5:5,5.

Official website report / Photo gallery / Commentary by Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk

"I am delighted at the excellent show by Grandmaster Vishy Anand at Sofia, retaining his world chess title. He has proved himself to be a great World Champion as he brushed aside the effects of his late arrival at Sofia for the Match due to unexpected air traffic disruption all over Europe. The last game was vintage Anand. The entire Chess fraternity looks at this Indian genius with great admiration."
N.Srinivisan
President – All India Chess Federation

"The All India Chess Federation congratulates Grandmaster Vishy Anand for his magnificent display at the World Chess Championship Match, winning the title for the 4th time. For the past two decades he has been continuously in the top five in the World ranking list which is by itself unparalleled in the history of Indian Sports. Good times lie ahead for Indian chess as more players, inspired by Anand, are going to take to chess in a big way."
D.V.Sundar
Hon.Secretary

The Chief Arbiter starting the clock for game twelve

Sunday, May 9th:
Another draw signed in a deep Rook endgame. Monday is rest day, the final 12th game takes place on Tuesday. The score is even 5,5:5,5.

Friday, May 7th:
Today's game also finished in a draw and the score is still tied 5-5. Saturday is rest day.

Official website report / Photo gallery

Thursday, May 6th:
The ninth game of the match finished in a draw after 83 moves of play. The result is 4,5:4,5.

Official website report / Photo gallery / Video

Tuesday, May 4th:
Veselin Topalov won the 8th game to equalise the match score to 4:4. Wednesday is rest day, 9th game takes place on Thursday.

Official website report / Photo gallery / Video

The beginning of game eight

Monday, May 3rd:
The seventh game produced the third consecutive draw and the current score is 4:3 in favour of Anand.

Official website report / Photo gallery

Saturday, 1st May:
The sixth game ended in a draw and the current result is Anand-Topalov 3,5:2,5
Next game is on Monday, the colours are alternating and Anand again plays White pieces.

Official website report / Photo gallery

The start of the game six

Friday, 30th April:
The fifth game saw repeated opening from the last game in which Topalov led White pieces, and the outcome was the same - draw. Current score is Anand - Topalov 3:2

Official website report / Photo gallery

Wednesday, 28th April:
Viswanathan Anand wins another game with White pieces and takes the lead 2,5-1,5.
Official website report / Photo gallery

Beginning of the game four

Tuesday, 27th April:
The third game finished in a draw and the score is tied 1,5-1,5.
Official website / Photo gallery

Getting ready for the third game

Sunday, 25th April:
Viswanathan Anand strikes back in game two and equalises the score to 1-1. The third game is taking place on Tuesday, 27th April.
Official website report / Photo gallery

Anand adjusting pieces before the second game start

Saturday, 24th April:
Veselin Topalov won the first game with White pieces and is now leading 1-0.
Official website report / Photo gallery

The beginning of the first game

April 21 - 18.00 EEST (15.00 UTC) - Official opening
April 24 - 17.00 EEST (14.00 UTC) - Game 1
April 25 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 2
April 26 - Rest Day
April 27 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 3
April 28 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 4
April 29 - Rest Day
April 30 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 5
May 1 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 6
May 2 - Rest Day
May 3 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 7
May 4 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 8
May 5 - Rest Day
May 6 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 9
May 7 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 10
May 8 - Rest Day
May 9 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 11
May 10 - Rest Day
May 11 - 15.00 EEST (12.00 UTC) - Game 12
May 12 - Rest Day
May 13 - Tie breaks