Viswanathan Anand made history by successfully retaining his World Chess Championship title in 2010 in Sofia, Bulgaria, against Vladimir Kramnik. The match was held from April 21 to May 13, 2010, and was part of the World Chess Championship cycle. Anand’s victory not only reaffirmed his position as the reigning champion but also secured him 1.20 million euros as the prize money for retaining his title.
Location: The championship was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, a city with a rich chess tradition, and the match was organized under the auspices of FIDE (International Chess Federation).
Opponent: Viswanathan Anand faced Vladimir Kramnik, the former World Chess Champion, in a 12-game match for the title. Kramnik had been the World Champion from 2000 to 2006 and was one of the strongest contenders for the title in 2010.
Format: The match followed the traditional format of the World Chess Championship, consisting of 12 games with a time control of 120 minutes per player for the entire game, with a 60-minute increment after move 40. If the score was tied after 12 games, a rapid tiebreaker would be played.
Final Score: Anand won the match with a 6.5-4.5 scoreline, successfully defending his title with a 2-point lead. The match was closely contested, but Anand’s superior preparation, sharp strategy, and ability to handle the pressure in key moments helped him retain the championship.
Anand won two games (Game 2 and Game 6) and drew the rest. His resilience and ability to secure crucial points in the games were key to his success. He displayed brilliant positional play and tactical brilliance throughout the match.
Kramnik made several uncharacteristic mistakes, but Anand’s ability to capitalize on them made a significant difference. Notably, Anand’s approach to the endgame and his ability to neutralize Kramnik’s opening repertoire were crucial to his success.
1.20 Million Euros: For his victory, Anand earned a prize fund of 1.20 million euros. The distribution of prize money between the players was decided based on their final standings: 60% for the winner (Anand) and 40% for the runner-up (Kramnik).
Total Prize Fund: The total prize fund for the 2010 World Chess Championship was around 2 million euros, a substantial sum for the chess world at the time.
Anand’s Legacy: Retaining the title against a former world champion like Kramnik only solidified Viswanathan Anand’s legacy as one of the greatest chess players of all time. This victory was a continuation of his dominance in the chess world, following his first title in 2000 and successful defenses in 2007 and 2008.
Global Recognition: Anand’s victory brought even more international recognition, not just for him but for Indian chess. He became an iconic figure in India and around the world, serving as an inspiration for young chess players, particularly in India, where chess has seen a rise in popularity due to his influence.
Cementing His Status: This win ensured that Anand’s status as the World Chess Champion was unquestioned and further added to his legacy of consistency at the highest level of chess. His approach to the game was admired for its balance between aggressive tactics and deep positional understanding.
Recognition: After successfully defending his title, Anand received numerous accolades, including several honors in India. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan (India’s second-highest civilian award) in 2008 and continues to be celebrated as one of the best chess players in the world.
Retirement: Although Anand would go on to play in several more World Chess Championships, the 2010 title defense was one of the most memorable matches in his career, marking the peak of his reign as World Champion during that period.
Viswanathan Anand’s 2010 World Chess Championship win remains one of his most iconic performances, and the prize money of 1.20 million euros was a fitting reward for his remarkable achievement. His victory in Sofia further cemented his legacy as a dominant force in chess and one of the greatest players to ever grace the game.
