World Championship 2007 Mexico
The World Championship 2007 took place from September 12 to 30 in the Sheraton
Centro Histórico Hotel in Mexico City. Eight players had qualified for
this double round robin. The prize fund was US $1.3 million. The winner was
Indian GM Vishy Anand. Here are the final standings:
Victory dinner
After his victory on Saturday Anand was taken by the main organiser for
a victory dinner
It was a to a very fine restaurant, "Hacienda los Morales", with
music and wine
Our hosts: Jorge and Veronica Saggiante
Aruna and Vishy Anand enjoying the atomosphere
One of the more exotic dishes: Taco with Chapulines, grasshoppers that are
considered a delicacy by many Mexicans
Anand's second Peter Heine Nielsen and German Chess Classic organiser Hans
Walter Schmitt
Anand gets a cake that reads "Felicidades" (congratulations)
The Closing Ceremony
This was the first opening ceremony to which we had to walk – but
with mounted security
Peter Svidler and Vishy Anand with a brisk stride
Aruna Anand and Peter Heine Nielsen with friends from Canada
The closing ceremony took place in the Palacio de Minería, half a
mile from the venue
Deputy President of FIDE, Georges Makropoulos, speaks to the audience
Anand gets a laurel wreath, a Mexican "sarape" (coloured blanket)
and flowers
It is the turn of the new world champion to address his audience
Anand speaks in fluent and eloquent Spanish
Mexican movie star and chess enthusiast Enrique Roche, Anand and organiser Jorge
Saggiante
Anand poses with his golden World Championship medal
At the end of the ceremony there are anthems: Mexican, FIDE and Indian
Spotted in the audience: WIM Arianne Caoili, Levon Aronian's girlfriend
Outside the "Mariachis" serenade the guests
On a Sunday night at 10 p.m. people have queued up downstairs to get autographs
from the players
Anand mobbed by fans, who want his signature and to be photographed with
him
Unbelievable scenes, with the crowd chanting "Anand, Anand, Anand..."
Arianne Caoili and Aruna Anand wait patiently while the chess stars meet
the fans
A final dinner, at the invitation of Dawat, one of the finest Indian restaurants
in Mexico City
Once again Anand can relax in the circle of his closest friends
After dinner he poses with the proud owner and staff of the Dawat restaurant
Photos by Frederic Friedel in Mexico City
