World Championship Sochi: Closing Ceremony

FIDE World Chess Championship – Closing ceremony

The World Championship 2014 ended on 23rd November 2014 in Sochi, when Magnus Carlsen won the eleventh game and closed out the match with a score of 6.5-4.5. As per the initial schedule if the match went the distance, (all twelve games played, then rapid and blitz) the closing ceremony would have been held on 28th November. But as the match ended with the eleventh game the closing ceremony took place on the 25th of November 2014 at 18.00 hours.

The man of the moment was, of course, the World Champion Magnus Carlsen,
thronged by kids who wanted his autograph

And, yes, a five time World Champion is also always popular!
Besides the two players there was also an extremely important person at the closing ceremony:

He, too, was seen giving autographs to the kids….

And the media was swarming around him

Of course we are talking about none other than the President of Russia: Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. It was the first time that the president of any nation hosting the World Championship was present at the closing ceremony.

Russian Chess Federation President Andrey Filatov (second from right) with three
former World Champions: Viswanathan Anand, Anatoly Karpov and Boris Spassky

The hall where the closing ceremony was held

The closing ceremony began with the national anthem of Russia, followed by the FIDE anthem.

The chief arbiter of the event, Andrzej Fillipowicz, thanked
the players for their gentlemen-like behaviour and fair play

Vladimir Putin then addressed the gathering – this is what he said:

“Friends, I would first like to congratulate Magnus Carlsen on his victory. Congratulations! This victory allows you to retain the title of World Chess Champion. I would also like to thank Viswanathan Anand for the wonderful game we will all remember.

This match between the two strongest grandmasters of the planet has truly become the focal point of the entire world chess championship. Millions of chess fans from all over the world followed it. As I have just been told, this was about two million people in over 100 countries every day. I am certain that the honest and fierce struggle of two equal and respectable players has met the expectations of millions of fans across the globe.

Chess is fairly considered an important part of world culture. In Russia it has traditionally enjoyed special respect. We are happy and proud that the Olympic city of Sochi hosted the decisive match for the world chess crown. This city is filled with a festive atmosphere of sports and competition, and the participants in this match have demonstrated the same qualities as the Olympic athletes did during the Winter Olympics.

The match to determine the World Chess Champion will definitely serve to further develop chess in Russia and the world at large. We in Russia have a special love for chess. Let me remind you that this country gave the world ten champions. We have about 540 thousand people doing this sport, while the number of those who like to spend their free time over a game of chess runs into millions.

Once again, my congratulations to Magnus Carlsen on his outstanding victory! I wish you success!"

FIDE President Kirsan Illyumzhinov then proceeded with the prize giving: first, both
the players were given medals – Silver for Vishy and Gold for Magnus

Then Magnus received the traditional laurel wreath

And finally the beautiful, gigantic cup

The 16th undisputed World Chess Champion: Magnus Carlsen

The national anthem of Norway was played, and Magnus stepped up to speak a few words

Carlsen thanked the organizers Agon and the Russian Chess Federation. He praised the organization, saying that his team had been treated in the best possible way. He thanked his team, which included his seconds, father, Espen Adgestein, family, doctor and the cook. Magnus was magnanimous in addressing Anand as his esteemed opponent who gave his all in the match. He said it was a pleasure to do battle with him and wished him the best for future. And lastly Magnus thanked the chess fans all over the world who followed the match and dedicated his victory to all of them. As he spoke it was apparent that his throat was sore and he was not in the best of health.

Kirsan Illyumzhinov gave a note of thanks towards the end and declared the match over

The most important point of his speech was that the next World Championship Match will be held in the United States of America in 2016.

The stage was then taken over by the most talented young musicians of Russia.
This 14-year-old was wonderful on the violin.

And the 13-year-old rock guitarist simply made the entire environment electric.
You can see (hear) for yourself in the video below.

Vishy Anand in his tweet on twitter praised these two little talents:

The Russian President organized a small get together after the closing ceremony...

... and got on very well with the players

The following two tweets by Anand tells us something about what happened at the meeting:

And: "The Russian President will be in India and he was nice enough to say that we hope to meet again in your country."

Photos by Chief Press Officer Anastasia Karlovich (left) and Vladimir Barsky in Sochi

Video stream of the closing ceremony

You can watch the entire closing ceremony in HD streaming video.
Make sure to maximize the replay window to enjoy the full breathtaking broadcast quality.

Final score

Replay all the games of the match

Select from the dropdown menu to replay the games

Links Official tournament site All ChessBase reports on the match All games in PGN The games were broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com with full GM commentary. If you are not a member of Playchess get instant access, but you can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs to log on.