30th September 2007 - GM VISWANATHAN ANAND CROWNED WORLD CHAMPION FOR THE SECOND TIME!

Mexico City: World Number 1 Viswanathan Anand has regained the World Chess crown, which he first won in Teheran in 2000, here on Saturday.

Anand, 37, replaced Vladimir Kramnik of Russia as the champion, winning the Championship with a tally of nine points after playing a quick 20-move draw with Hungarian Super Grand Master Peter Leko in the 14th and final round of a tournament that he dominated from the start.

Anand had survived a tense game in the penultimate round on Friday, when he fought grimly to draw his five-hour game with Russia’s Alexander Grischuk.

The Indian whiz, who is one of only four men to have gone past the 2,800-Elo ratings barrier, wins a prize of USD 390,000.

In the press conference that followed, the new champion said, "You can imagine how I feel. This is something very special for me.

"I want to thank all my friends who helped me a lot. I want to thank my wife who has done everything to keep me in a good shape for competing. I also want to thank my trainer."

He also thanked "Mexico for its hospitality, not in so many places you can find as many chess fans as here. I always feel great in Mexico." - Article Courtesy: Sify