New Delhi: World Chess Championship 2014 begins in Sochi, Russia today. Indian Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand will take on reigning championMagnus Carlsen of Norway in the first of the twelve games to be played. The match will begin at 5:30 PM Indian Time. Five-time world champion Anand will take the white piece in the first game. Anand bids to reclaim the world title, which he lost to Magnus Carlsen, last November. The first player to attain Six and a Half points will become world champion.
The ceremony was attended by some of the biggest names in the world of politics and chess. The list of VVIP dignitaries included International Chess Federation (FIDE) President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Russian Chess Federation President Andrey Filatov, and advisor to Russian President Igor Levitin, former World Champions Boris Spassky, Nona Gaprindashvili, Anatoly Karpov, Alexander Khalifman, Zhu Chen, Antoaneta Stefanova, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Russian deputy minister of sports Pavel Kolobkov.
I am confident that Sochi’s developed sports, transport and tourism infrastructure and the traditional hospitality of its residents will ensure that this event takes place at the highest standard and will enable the competitors – Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand – to demonstrate the full measure of their skill and ability to find original solutions to the most complex tasks and show that they are worthy rivals in this battle for the chess world’s crown.
FIDE Presidential Board revealed announced the agenda of the championship that included the scheduling of events such as Tal Memorial grandmaster blitz tournament, junior Tournament of champions, master-classes and simultaneous displays. He also wished Anand and Carlsen well for their duel and hoped for a memorial championship.
The opening ceremony ended with a stunning performance from singer Tina Kuznetsova and the Jazz Quartet of People’s Artist of Russia Igor Butman. Anand and Carlsen are scheduled to play 12 games with classical time control. Every game will be comprised of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves. From then on, there will be an increase of 30 seconds per move. November 27 has been reserved for the tie-break with quick time controls in case the match is tied.
Bureau Report
Leave a Reply