"Feeling is like floating," says Viswanathan Anand after winning World Rapid Chess Championship crown
Indian chess icon and five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand defied the odds to clinch the World Rapid Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, thus recapturing the title he had last won in 2003. The 48-year-old had not had the best of years in 2017, with a string of underwhelming performances, but on Thursday, he was simply unstoppable.
He remained unbeaten throughout the 15 rounds of the competition, record nine draws and six wins, including one against World No. 1 and reigning classical World Champion Magnus Carlsen in Round 9. He was up against Russian Vladimir Fedoseev in a two-time tie-breaker, where he picked up two wins and as a result, ensured the crown.
The Indian was elated after the win, as he took to social media to share his thoughts after the win. He expressed his delight and stated that the victory felt like he was floating in the air. He also said that the song 'We are the Champions' is playing continuously in his head and that he will share more of his thoughts after the Blitz Championships, which start on Friday.
Anand also spoke to the broadcasters NRK after his victory, who asked him how it felt to be World Champion once again. In his true style, the Indian responded with utmost humility, "It's an unbelievable surprise!"
When asked about his chances of completing a historic double by winning the Blitz Championships, Anand was quick to emphasise the challenge posed by Norwegian Carlsen.
He was quoted as saying, "A double would be very tempting, but Magnus, what can I say, he's a colossus. He just wins games so effortlessly. He's the huge favourite again. But I will definitely try my best in the blitz."
After the Rapid, the Blitz Championship kicks off on Friday, where the Madras Tiger will be looking to clinch another title.