Vishy Anand
India's pride, World Chess Champion


December 25th, 2000: Anand is World Champion!.


The FIDE World Chess Championships took place in New Delhi, India and Tehran, Iran, 25 November - 27 December 2000.

Anand is the FIDE World Chess Champion. He beat Shirov 3.5-0.5. In game four Shirov generated tremendous complications with the black pieces but Anand reacted calmly and survived with a winning position. Shirov resigned on move 41.

Having put himself in a position to win World titles on a number of occasions in the past has relieved the pressure on Anand. He has used his experience of the past to win this title. Whatever happens from now on, his place in history is assured. This year after a slow start at Linares and the Amber Rapid tournament, Anand has recovered and started playing chess on a level with his previous highs in 1995 (on the run up to playing Kasparov where many good judges thought he was world number one) and in 1998. He went through these Championships undefeated with 8 wins and 12 draws.

Surely he can only go from strength to strength. In sport they say the first World title is the hardest. Anand is off the mark, is there a limit to what he can achieve now?


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