Carlsen Retains Crown

A big thanks to everyone who supported me on this interesting journey. Two down, five to go.
“A big thanks to everyone who supported me on this interesting journey. Two down, five to go.”

World chess champion, Norway’s Magnus Carlsen retained his title, handing out a punishing defeat to Indian challenger Viswanathan Anand in the 11th round of their title match in Russia on Sunday.

The reigning world champion punished Anand for his misadventurous exchange sacrifice on move 24 to wrap up the game in 45 moves.The final score at the end of 11th round stands at 6.5-4.5 in favour of Carlsen.

With this win, Carlsen retains the title that he wrested from Anand in Chennai last year.

If you feel like playing some chess, why don’t you head down to the local club (see here for more details), I promise we are not all as good as Magnus!

Magnus Carlsen reigns supreme

Congratulations to Magnus Carlsen!

Who currently holds all three Fide World Championships (Classical, Rapid and Blitz) after winning the World Blitz Championship with 17 points in the 21-round tournament in the Dubai on Friday.

Some people may not be that impressed with that, after-all Chess is just Chess. But it is similar to a Tennis Player winning grand slams on hard-court, clay and grass or a Golfer winning The Masters, The Open Championship and The Butlins Bognor Regis Crazy Golf Championship.

P.S Cowley are hosting their bi-annual Blitz Tournament tonight (don’t worry I think Carlsen is busy)

P.P.S The Club is open as usual this Thursday after our break for the England v Uruguay Game.

Congratulations to Magnus Carlsen, World Chess Champion!

Viswanathan Anand has been dethroned by World No 1 Magnus Carlsen after Game 10 of 2013 World Chess championship ended in a draw.

Carlsen won the match 6.5-3.5 with 3 wins and 7 draws.

Carlsen, who became a grandmaster at 13, became the game’s youngest No 1 in history at the age of 18. His game against Anand was his first world championship and now is the youngest world champion at the age of only 22. Hopefully, he has many years ahead of him.

Thank you, for all the amazing games you produce from Cumnor Chess Club

Watch Carlsen and Anand fight to be World Chess Champion

The FIDE World Chess Championship kicked off today in Chennai, India.

Reigning champ Visanathan Anand from India faces 22-year-old Norwegian wunderkind Magnus Carlsen.

Yes, that’s right – no Eastern Europeans are up for the champ title this time around. How novel is that? :)

Carlsen drew white for the opening game, which ended fairly quickly in a draw by repetition after 16 moves.

Hardly the thrill that any of us were hoping for.

If you want to follow the games, you don’t have to be India of course. You can watch the games unfold online via a variety of sources.

Here are some choices:

Separately, here’s an interesting article that argues that even though Magnus Carlsen is the world’s best chess player, he shouldn’t be the world champion.

If you have a view, or a preferred way to follow the World Chess Championship, leave a comment below.