Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand has regained the World Rapid Chess Championship title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 28 December.
-In the final and fifth round, Anand beat Russia’s Vladimir Fedoseev to reclaim the title he had won in 2003.
-Anand, took revenge for his 2013 World Championship loss as he defeated World No 1 Magnus Carlsen in the ninth round match on December 27, was placed joint second at the start of the final five rounds (11 to 15) on December 28.
-Anand defeated Russia’s Alexander Grischuk in the 14th and penultimate round of the tournament with white pieces. Leader Carlsen was held to a draw by Vladislav Artemiev of Russia which allowed Anand to join the the Norwegian at the top. In the final round, Anand drew with China’s Bu Xiangzhi while Carlsen suffered a defeat to Grishchuk.
-At the end of the fifteen rounds, Anand remained unbeaten in the competition with six wins and nine draws. The former World No 1, who had lost his overcall crown to Carlsen in 2013, reclaimed the World Rapid Chess Championship title he had won in 2003 beating Vladikir Kramnik in the final.
About Viswanathan Anand achievements:
- He is the first grand-master of India (1988).
- He is the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 1991–92.
- He is the first Indian sportsperson to be awarded with Padma Vibhushan in 2007.
- He held the FIDE World Chess Championship from 2000 to 2002.
