In the post-match press conference, Boris Gelfand while admitted that he could not quite cope with the time control, champion Viswanathan Anand said that it was incredibly tense. “It was incredibly tense. Well, when I woke up this morning, I knew it would end one way or the other but didn't know how it will go. I think that right now, the only feeling you have is relief. Given the fact that we drew 12 games and it was decided by tie-breakers is a reasonable situation. After such a long and tough match probably it was the only thing that could have separated us. I was too tensed," he said, according to a report in The Times Of India.
Anand said he was not unduly worried about his opponent's match strategy. "I have been following Boris' games and I had the impression that it was going to be a tough match.
"In the fourth game, I knew I shouldn't play too hard for a draw but somehow at the board I started to do exactly that. He had a lot of chances in the third and fourth game but things want my way in the end and I can say I won only because I won," he added.
Viswanathan Anand lived up to his reputation as the best rapid player of his generation when he routed challenger Boris Gelfand of Israel 2.5-1.5 on Wednesday. The 8.5-7.5 overall win (including 12 classical games) gave Anand Rs 8.6 crore while Gelfand took home Rs 6.4 crore (1.02 million dollars). By winning the title, Anand automatically qualified for the next year's World championship to be played in India. Anand had won the WCC title in 2000 (Tehran), 2007 (Mexico City), Bonn (2008) and Sofia (2010).
Meanwhile The Hindu writes that showing the speed and coolness under pressure which has characterised his career, the Chennai-based Grandmaster stayed ahead of Gelfand on the clock at the key moments in the 25 minutes per player tiebreakers and, despite plenty of chances, Gelfand was unable to break through Anand's defences in any of the four games. Anand, who won the four game series 2.5-1.5 (with a win and three draws), will keep the FIDE world title he has held since 2007 for another two years.
Anand, the heavy favourite at the start of the match, admitted that he thought he might have lost the world title after losing the seventh game to fall behind Gelfand in regulation time with just five games to play.
“It was a heavy blow to lose game seven. I can't remember such a dark day as after Game 7. I couldn't sleep and I thought I had blown the match. I was very fortunate to come back and win the next day even though I know it was not Boris' best day. I was very proud to win the next game.”
Anand said that he had never been sure of victory. “I never felt like a favourite. I know Boris too well for that. I am just relieved,” says The Hindu report.
