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Magnus Carlsen meets Norwegian press

11/26/2013 – After his historic win, Magnus Carlsen sat down with the cohort of Norwegian press members for a group interview. There was no division in parts and all members used the body of questions and answers for their work. In it he discusses his impressions of match play, his plans for the future, and what type of world champion he sees himself as. Here is the full collective interview.

The king is crowned

11/25/2013 – With a couple of days to rest and recover, before the closing ceremony, Magnus Carlsen chose to indulge in his favorite activities such as some basketball and football. A gymnasium was reserved and he challenged a team of journalists to face his team of Norwegians. Finally, the day came for the players to receive their medals, trophies, and checks. Large pictorial report.

Maturity and Majesty

11/25/2013 – While Magnus Carlsen’s victory is a victory for youth, with his numerous records in precociousness, it is unfair and incorrect to suggest that excellence and success are the exclusive domain of the young. As a follow-up to our look at the wonders of those in the springtime of life, here is a list of the players for whom age is just a number, and each wrinkle is but a battle scar.

The world takes notice

11/24/2013 – As would be expected, the news of the result of the Anand-Carlsen world championship match and the new title-holder circumnavigated the globe like wildfire, and media around the world has reported on it. The focus has clearly been on Magnus Carlsen, who is described as the "Justin Bieber of chess" or "a cross between a boxer and a 50s gangster". Here is a sample of the stories and headlines.

Huffington: Magnus Carlsen – World Chess Champion

11/23/2013 – Magnus Carlsen is the new world chess champion, having defeated the titleholder Vishy Anand of India in ten games with the score 6.5-3.5. The 22-year old Norwegian grandmaster has now won everything there is to win in chess. Huffington Post columnist GM Lubomir Kavalek comments on the course of the Championship and the Berlin Defense that played a critical role.

Magnus Carlsen is the new World Champion!

11/22/2013 – There seemed little doubt a real game would be played today, with Magnus the consummate player, and Anand unwilling to disappoint his fans for not trying. They played a hedgehog, and a long battle ensued, culminating in in a fascinating knight endgame Magnus might have won. After they finally drew, a new king was crowned. Long live the king. Illustrated report with celebratory video.

More impressions from Chennai

11/22/2013 – The chess match is nearing its end and we are set to leave the south Indian city that is hosting it. The stay was very interesting and as promised we will be providing you with impressions around and outside the event. On one of the free days ChessBase editor Frederic Friedel accompanied two young chess ladies on a shopping tour and visited a famous temple in the city. Big pictorial report.

Chennai G9: Magnus .44 beats battling Anand

11/21/2013 – It was everything the chess fans hoped for, no matter who they supported: a sharp battle with Anand all guns ablaze. Carlsen admitted this was the first time he risked being mated in the match, and the position could not have been more exciting. With computer precision he found all the defensive moves, and a final slip by Anand left him half a point from the title. Large illustrated report.

WCh Chennai: Languages of India, and of chess

11/20/2013 – The World Championship press room is filled with journalists from all parts of India, and they are filing reports in a dozen different languages. The main Indian language is Hindi, spoken by over four hundred million people. But Chennai is in the middle of the Dravidian language family that is less closely related to Hindi than, let us say, Norwegian (both Indo-Aryan languages). We thought we would give you an impression of the local dialects.

When chess beats lingerie models

11/20/2013 – While chess has never lacked respect, the general media has long taken only a casual look, publishing the occasional centerpiece as a form of tipping its hat. Now, the world championship and chess itself have seen an absolutely mind-boggling surge of interest, and men's fashion magazine GQ was shocked to report that an article on chess was beating a photo gallery of 100 lingerie models.

Chennai G8: Anand plays Berlin against Carlsen

11/19/2013 – The openings were a surprise all-round as Magnus Carlsen opened with 1.e4 for the first time. Whether or not Vishy Anand was surprised by this decision is not clear, but it was hard to predict a Berlin as his comeback choice. Carlsen was unfazed and rattled off each of his moves with 30 seconds thought, leading to complete equality. They drew after 40 minutes. Report and video analysis.

Are twelve games enough?

11/18/2013 – One of the more controversial aspects of the world championship today lies in the actual length of the title match. Since 1886, most of the matches to decide the title have lasted more than twelve games, which brings to question the fairness of the current system: How efficient is it at determining the rightful champion? Michael von Keitz looks at past matches to see how history might have changed.

Chennai: Impressions from the World Championship

11/18/2013 – Senior ChessBase editor Frederic Friedel, who is a personal friend of both the World Champion and the Challenger, has undertaken a trip to South India to attend at least part of the World Championship. In a series of special reports he will provide us with his impressions of Chennai and the venue of this spectacular event. Part one is about getting there and settling in.

Chennai G7: A toothless draw

11/18/2013 – After the loss in game six, many speculated on what Anand might do to shake things up and prepare a Rambo mission against Carlsen’s king. Some hoped for a King's Gambit, while others suggested a Scotch. When White repeated the same Anti-Berlin line from Game six, the question was what he had found to insist on this. The answer was nothing as Carlsen equalized with ease and drew on move 32. Round seven report.

Chennai G6: Carlsen wins second straight

11/16/2013 – The game was a solid, uninspiring Spanish that seemed to have nothing in it. The position simplified and an endgame arose with draw predictions from all sides. It was no surprise that Carlsen insisted, until Anand dropped a pawn out of the blue. After the surprise subsided, a draw was again on the horizon, and Magnus played his last trap. Suddenly, it was all over. Illustrated report.

Chennai G5: Carlsen draws first blood

11/15/2013 – In game five, Magnus Carlsen finally eschewed the Reti, and after 1.c4 it was a Semi-Slav. It did not seem promising as he went for simplifications, but it was exactly the type he thrives on, and exactly what Carlsen has been hoping for since game one. Vishy Anand seemed up for the challenge, but each time he regained his footing, he slipped. Ultimately he failed to hold and Carlsen takes the lead. Illustrated report.

WCh Chennai: The Nature of Draws

11/14/2013 – Draws in chess are inevitable when two players exhaust all possible winning chances, and neither blundered nor made mistakes that were that easily exploitable. Draws come in all shapes and forms, some to secure the paycheck at the end of a tournament, and some the just result of an all-out battle that neither player managed to win. Here is a look at the nature of draws with video analysis by Tryfon Gavriel.

Chennai G4: Carlsen presses Anand in epic battle

11/13/2013 – Another fantastic battle, and the odd trend of trouble for White persists. In game four, Magnus Carlsen played his pet Berlin and it was a resounding success as Vishy Anand floundered and then lost a pawn. The story was a repeat of game three, with Black sporting a large advantage, pressing to win, but unable to deliver the killing blow. Despite Carlsen’s efforts, Anand saved the game. Large illustrated report.

The Pyjama Girls interview

11/13/2013 – As further evidence of the connection Magnus Carlsen has managed to make with young people around the world. In round two, a bold picture circulated on Twitter of four beautiful young girls showing their support for Magnus Carlsen. The interview shows that the impact goes beyond pinup pictures in a teenager's room, and has managed to bring an unprecedented 'cool' factor to chess.

Chennai G3: A thrilling battle as Anand close to win

11/12/2013 – The match finally fulfilled the promise of a thrilling fight, and the chess world held its breath as world champion Vishy Anand built a serious advantage against Magnus Carlsen's Reti, and seemed poised to win. Had he played 29…Bxb2 it might have been, but the moment passed and great defense by the Norwegian challenger saved the draw. A dramatic and exciting battle. In the illustrated report Garry Kasparov comments on the opening preparation.

WCh Chennai: more wishes for Vishy

11/12/2013 – Can you imagine how popular World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand is in his home country? With what intensity people are rooting for him to win the current match? No you can't! Take a look at what Suneet Mausil is doing, on his visits to the Planetskool chess kids. Suneet had a portrait painting made, and took it to the schools for the students to see. It's called King of Lightening.

Chennai 02: Two minor victories?

11/10/2013 – The question is obvious: Who does it favor for the first few games to be lifeless draws? The general opinion is that this favors the World Championship, hands down. However Kasparov objectively observes that the black pieces are the black pieces, and it's good for Carlsen to have been able to neutralize his opponent so easily. We bring you plenty of analysis in English and Hindi.

Chennai G2: More moves, but quicker draw

11/10/2013 – It had the promise of an exciting fight, after a sharp Caro-Kann appeared with castling on opposite wings. Then at a crucial juncture, the queens were traded and the position’s tension vanished in a puff of smoke. Though not the first world championship match to have a slow start, with both players still prodding and studying each other, the fans were hoping for more. Illustrated report with video analysis.

Chennai G1: Anand holds Carlsen to 16-move draw

11/9/2013 – It was an almost anti-climactic start for the world championship. Carlsen was white in game one and chose an offbeat double fianchetto to face Anand’s Gruenfeld. No doubt he was hoping for a war of attrition to outplay the champion, but instead found himself forced to accept a draw by repetition in 16 moves. A moral victory for the champ as he easily holds the challenger to a draw with black. Illustrated report with video analysis.
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