World Chess Championship Tie-Breaks

Today the destiny of the WorldChess Championship will be decided.  Reigning champion Vishy Anand and challenger Boris Gelfand drew their 12-game match 6-6 and now play rapid tie-breaks for the title.

In addition to the title, there is also a difference in prize-money of more than half a million dollars.  The winner receives $1.53 million, the loser $1.02 million.

The tie-break starts at 12:00 in Moscow (08:00 UTC).  There will be a 4-game rapid match at 25 minutes per game plus 10 second increment. Boris Gelfand will have the white pieces in the first game.

If scores are still level a 2-game blitz match will be played at 5 minutes plus 3 second increment.  If the deadlock is still not broken, there can be up to 5 of the these 2-game blitz matches before a sudden-death blitz game will decide the winner (5 minutes for white, 4 minutes for black, and a 3 second increment from move 61).  There will be a 10 minute break between all the games.

Live coverage and commentary is available at the official website.

Updates will appear on this page with the results of the games as they happen!

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Game 1: A very sharp and tactical game ended with a draw.  Gelfand erred with 19.a4? which allowed 19...Qf3 and it looked like Anand had winning chances, but he seemed surprised by 22.Ra3 after which the advantage swung back to Gelfand.  Despite this, Anand managed to hold for a draw.  A missed opportunity for Anand?

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Game 2: Vishy Anand wins and takes the lead! The opening followed game 10 until Anand varied with 7.d4.  Gelfand was caught in the champion's preparation, and fell behind on the clock as he tried to solve his opening problems.

Anand found the strong move 17.Rg5, obtaining an excellent position, but Gelfand fought hard and achieved great drawing chances. Alas for the Israeli challenger, he was unable to continue to find the best moves as he survived solely on the 10 second increment, and Anand took the lead.

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Game 3: Another exciting draw. Anand varied with 4...Bf5 and Gelfand grabbed a lot of space with 13.c5 and 14.f4.  Anand's pieces became badly unco-ordinated and he sacrificed a pawn to free them and gain some activity.

Once again Gelfand was well behind on the clock and he missed the winning 26. Nxe4 after which Anand eventually achieved a draw.

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Game 4: Vishy Anand draws the game with white and retains his title!

Anand exchanged queens early on to simplify the position at the cost of a slightly better position for his opponent. 

Gelfand didn't need to be asked twice to attack, and threw his pawns forward on both sides of the board.  But the champion had it all under control, and despite Gelfand's desperate efforts, he had to settle for a draw and the end of his challenge.

Anand wins the match on tie-breaks 2½-1½.

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