Thought I would start a series of posts on the current World championship match between the incumbent "Living Legend" Vishy Anand and "Legend in the Making" Magnus Carlsen. This is a match I've been looking forward to since March where I had the pleasure of witnessing first hand the final couple of rounds of the Candidates tournament in London - the tournament where Carlsen managed to pip Vladimir Kramnik at the post and qualify for the match.
Magnus enters the match as heavy ratings favourite but has no match experience whereas Anand's is vast. Anand's opening preparation is also known to be fearsome and particularly in a 1v1 match (as opposed to a tournament) this could be a significant factor. The match is best of 12 with rapidplay playoff if required. This has been the format since 2007.
A short history puts the match into perspective. The chess world was split in 1993 when Garry Kasparov and Nigel Short split away from FIDE to create the PCA (Professional Chess Association). From 1993 to 2007 there had always been 2 "recognised" World Champions. This was unsatisfactory to say the least, and I prefer to only personally recognise the "Steinitz Line"; Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine (twice), Euwe, Botvinnik (3 times!), Smyslov, Tal, Petrosian, Spassky, Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik and Anand.
Kramnik defeated Kasparov in London in 2000 to become the "Braingames" (don't ask) World Champion. He defended this title in 2004 (drew a match with Leko in Switzerland over 14 games) and in 2006 where he defeated Topalov in Elista in a match mired in controversy ("Toilet Gate"). Anand convincingly won a tournament in Mexico City in 2007 to win the FIDE version of the World Championship. In 2008 the two met in Bonn to finally unite the 2 World championships. Anand won the match convincingly.
Since 2008 Anand has defended his title twice. In 2010 he defeated Topalov on away turf in Bulgaria in a closely fought match, decided in the 12th and final game where Topalov disastrously overpressed. He also defended against Gelfand in Moscow 2012 in a match that was much closer than many had anticipated. Anand was only victorious after the match went to playoffs, despite being the heavy favourite beforehand.
This will be Anand's 5th World Championship match (more if you include the other championship) having previously played, Kasparov, Kramnik, Topalov and Gelfand. His place in chess history is already secured and he is one of the greatest of them all.
Carlsen's rise to fame has been spectacular and he goes into the match with the highest ever rating recorded (2870). If he wins it will usher in a new era. The fact he is a young Westerner could also encourage additional coverage and sponsorship for chess in general. If Anand were to win against the odds then it would further cement his status in chess history, and could deal a lasting psychological blow to his young opponent.
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