PoPChess

Congratulations to Viswanathan Anand on winning the World Chess Championship by a score of 6.5-4.5 over Vladimir Kramnik.  I admit that I was pulling for Kramnik, but I also recognize the incredible performance and wonderful achievement by the better player, Anand.

Up to this point, I had still considered Kramnik the true champion (dating all the way back to 2000) from the standpoint that he had not been defeated in a match since his victory over Garry Kasparov.

It is an opinion that has been argued over and over again, but my firm belief is that the true world champion should have to be defeated in match play to truly lose his or her crown.  The tournament format is simply unacceptable and disrespectful to the great history of the game.

That being said, I am truly happy for Anand.  He has been a great player and a class act for many years.  I can’t think of a player more deserving of this great honor.  He is a wonderful ambassador to the game of chess and I am confident that he will be a formidable champion.

In honor of his victory, I present one of Anand’s impressive victories over Kasparov in the ninth game of the 1995 world championship match:

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