Anand beats Kramnik; retains World Chess Championship

NEW DELHI: World Champion Viswanathan Anand retained the world crown by taking another draw with challenger Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in the 11th ga


Challenger Vladimir Kramnik of Russia leans back before his first move with the black stones in the 11th game against defending Chess World Champion Viswanathan Anand in Bonn on October 29, 2008. (Reuters Photo)me of the world championship match in Bonn on Wednesday. ( Watch ) Playing his final white game against the Russian, Anand forced Kramnik for a draw after the 24th move to win the championship 6.5-4.5. Anand was in the driver seat even before the start of the penultimate game of the championship as he required only a draw against his challenger Kramnik to clinch the title. And after the 10th game fiasco, Anand kept things under control against the Russian through-out the match on Wednesday.
In the tenth game on Monday, for the first time Kramnik came into reckoning in what had been a one-sided affair so far. The Russian punished Anand's reckless play in great style and proved his fighting qualities just while everyone thought that the match was over. The 12-game final carries a purse of 1.5 million euros (about $1.8 million) and both get equal amounts regardless of the result on Wednesday.
"A great job done, my son" "A great job done, my son", exulted the proud father of Vishwanathan Anand who retained the world chess crown defeating Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in Bonn on Wednesday. Vishwanathan said the family had been tense for the last few days and the result is a great relief. The father said "it was a lone battle Anand had fought. Today, he has the entire nation behind him".
Anand's achievements so far:
1985: Arjuna Award, Outstanding Indian Sportsman (Chess)
1987: Padma Shri, youngest ever recipient
1991-92: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, first ever recipient
1997: Chess "Oscar" Best Chess Player of 1997
1998: Chess "Oscar" Best Chess Player of 1998
1998: Sportstar Millenium Award, from India's premier Sports magazine for being the sportperson of the millenium
2000: Padma Bhushan, for being the first Asian to win the World Championship
2003: Chess " Oscar" Best Chess Player of 2003
2004: Chess " Oscar" Best Chess Player of 2004
2007: World Chess Champion (undisputed)
2007: Was awarded the second highest civilian award of India, the Padma Vibhushan.