Anand The Rapid Champion At Mainz

Anand Comfortably Beats Carlsen

The keenly anticipated final of the 'Rapid World Championship' in Mainz turned out to be a clear victory for the more experienced Vishy Anand (pictured) over his fast improving rival, Magnus Carlsen.

The Indian World Champion had no trouble in slaying Carlsen's favoured Dragon defense in the first game and then brushed aside his Catalan Opening in the second game to take a strong lead.

In the third game Anand showed his experience by avoiding the sharpest lines of the Sicilian with 3.Bb5+ and allowed his young opponent no chance to stir up trouble.  Anand eventually offered a draw a pawn up in a better position in order to secure the win and make the 4th game a formality.

Anand is therefore the Rapid World Champion for the 9th year in a row!

Perhaps, in the not too distant future, we will see these two chess giants lock horns again for the real World Chess Championship title. Morozevich defeated Polgar by 2.5-1.5 to take third place in the event.