India's chess king prevails in 'Battle of Armageddon'

PHOTO

World chess champion Viswanathan Anand studies the board during his win over challenger Boris Gelfand in the tiebreak match. [Reuters: Denis Sinyakov]

Last Updated: Thu, 31 May 2012 10:08:00 +1000

India's Viswanathan Anand has retained his world chess title, defeating Israeli challenger Boris Gelfand in a speed chess showdown, after their "Battle of Armageddon" clash failed to produce an overal winner.

The tie-break saw the two clash in four speed chess games that lasted over four hours - three of the games ended in draws.

But Anand, known as the Tiger of Madras, won game two, after a mistake by Gelfand in the endgame, as his allotted 25 minutes ran out proved decisive.

"It was incredibly tense," Anand said.

"I think that right now, the only feeling you have is relief. I am really too tense to be happy, but there is relief."

"Today, it is difficult to claim anything. I would simply say that my nerves held on better.

"I simply hung on for dear life."

Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh told Anand in a message "you have made the nation proud of you with this monumental achievement".

Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman said despite his loss, "Gelfand has brought great honour to the state of Israel".

Anand will take $US1.4 million and Gelfand $US1.15 million from a $US2.55 million total prize fund, under rules that saw an evening-out of the prize money if the match went to a tie-break.