Viswanathan Anand regains world chess title

 

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Chess Grand Master Viswanathan Anand regained the world title after seven years with an unbeaten run in the tournament held in Mexico City, organisers said on Sunday.

The 37-year-old world number one finished with nine points in the 14-round event to edge Russian defending champion Vladimir Kramnik by one point, the tournament Web site www.chessmexico.com said.

Anand secured victory following a quick draw against Hungary's Peter Leko in the final round late on Saturday, they said.

Kramnik was second on a tie-break after he and Israel's Boris Gelfand both finished with eight points each. Leko was fourth, a further point adrift.

The popular Anand won the world junior title in 1989 and became India's first Grand Master at the age of 16.

He first won in 2000, but the value of the title has been enhanced since last year when two rival bodies unified.

"You can imagine how I feel," Anand was quoted as saying on the tournament Web site. "I won a big tournament last year and this is something very special for me."