Anand wins final game, retains world title

SOFIA - World champion Viswanathan Anand retained his title by winning a thrilling 12th and final game and beating Veselin Topalov in 57 moves with black pieces in Sofia Tuesday.

The 40-year-old Indian won the match 6.5-5.5 following up his world title wins in 2000, 2007 and 2008.

Anand, who first won the world title in 2000 and held it till 2002 when the chess world was still split, became the undisputed World champion in 2007 and then retained the title in 2008 when he beat Vladimir Kramnik. This time around, he beat Topalov to cement his place among one of the games’ all-time greats.

Anand, who travelled more than 40 hours by road to reach the venue as flights in Europe were suspended due to the volcanic ash from Iceland, lost the first game. He, however, quickly hit back with wins in the second and third game.