2012 World Chess Championship (Anand vs. Gelfand)
This evening will launch the world championship of chess between two veterans, India’s Viswanathan Anand (defending World Champion) and Israel’s Boris Gelfand (Challenger). The first game of the anticipated match begins May 11th and will be held in Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery. The prize fund for the match is 2.55 million dollars, 60% of which will go to the winner and 40% to the loser.
Many see this as being the last stand of the 40ish generation before the likes of Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Levon Aronian (Armenia), Sergey Karjakin (Russia), Hikaru Nakamura (USA) and Fabiano Caruana (Italy) take over. In the era when many sportsman are performing at high levels past their prime, chess is the latest example.
Anand is a heavy favorite to defend his title and some polls have as high as 85%. While the odds are firmly against Gelfand, most would agree that he is a tough fighter and will certainly produce some interesting ideas.
Official Site: https://moscow2012.fide.com/en/
Regulations: https://moscow2012.fide.com/files/FWCM2012.pdf
May 11th-30th, 2012 (Moscow, Russia – Tretyakov Gallery) |
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pts.
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Gelfand
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6
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Anand
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6
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| Official Site: https://moscow2012.fide.com/en/ | |||||||||||||
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pts.
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Gelfand
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Anand
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| Anand retains title! | |||||
Gelfand will indeed put up a good fight, but in the end, he must fall.
Darius, I will have to politely challenge you on the part of your statement that says Gelfand must fall part. Let’s not forget that he earned that spot to challenge Anand. To underestimate him, is tantamount to saying that the status quo cannot be changed. I am putting 100% effort to eventually see my son break the stigma of who can be world champion and hopefully I will see it before I expire. So when I hear comments like the underdog must fall, I get annoyed and would love to hear the reason behind such remark. I am a lover of clean debates, so please feel free to make the second move.
Daaim, all of a sudden he is interested in studying everything. If I am wrong, so be it. But I think he has what it takes to be a world-class player. I’ve always known that he was a quiet genius who doesn’t want people to know about his abilities. Like a typical whiz kid he has a hard time expressing his talent to others because the he doesn’t understand it himself. Remember, not until now, he never really had a coach who was smart enough to realize that this kid is a genius. His current coach is the first to notice that and I love him.
Thanks for your comment Guy. I am by no means underestimating Gelfand. For him to have gotten here just shows what a talent he is. It’s just that I have always liked Anand. He is very consistent and humble, avoids conflict and unnecessary cheap chess politics. That’s the type of personal character that appeals to me. It reminds me of the way I like Nadal in tennis and want him to obliterate whatever oposition in his way.
Mr Mukonde, I am pleased about your well thought out reply. In hindsight, you have made it very clear that when you said “ Gelfand must fall” it was just an expression, and nothing more. There is a thin line between when you’re for someone and not against the other, but making that point in ink can be tricky. I thank you for the explanation.
Gelfand is tough fighter but Anand is more creative.Gelfand is aggressive but Anand is cautious.The chess world champion should have qualities that transcends boundaries of time.He has to be special.This is the reason why there are only 15 real world champions in the span of 126 years.That is the reason why likes of Bronstein,Polugaevsky,Paul Keres,Korchnoi could never became world champions.This extra something will pave the way for Anand’s victory.
6 draws? not looking good for the popularity of the game.
I hope this decisive 7th game injects some pace into the competition.
After eight games, the match is tied at 4-4, contrary to some predictions that gelfand would defeated easily. I like it this way since many will have to reassess their predictions.
I saw quite a nickname for GM Boris Gelfand on another site: “Gandalf”. If he wins this championship against the great “Vishy”, his nickname will certainly fit!