Anand and Gelfand to play 12th tie today

Defending champion Anand and challenger Boris Gelfand will play their 12th tie of the World Chess championship today

Reigning world champion Anand’s is sure make a last-ditch attempt to retain the world title when he takes on Israel’s Boris Gelfand in the final game of the World Chess Championship today. u00a0With both players tied on 5.5 points after 11 games, the all-important 12th game will give both a chance to avoid the tie-breaker.u00a0Anand would hope to repeat his performance against Vaselin Topalov of Bulgaria in 2010 when the Indian won the last game to retain the title. Anand had also defeated Russian Vladimir Kramnik in 2008 with ease.

Viswanathan Anand during the current World Championship in Moscow. Pic/AFP

So far, the defending champion and challenger have one won one game apiece while nine games have ended in draws. Now, it’s time for Anand to deliver the goods in the last game to dash Gelfand’s hopes of snatching the coveted title from Anand. The Indian Grandmaster will be in an advantageous position playing with white in the final game under normal time control. The tie-breaker games will be shorter in duration and Anand’s skill to make moves faster will obviously help him more than his challenger.

Gelfand not worried
Gelfand, however, is unfazed by Anand’s reputation in faster version and did not shy away from admitting it himself in the post-match chat after game 11. “I would say that with all his results Vishy has proved that he is one of the best, or maybe the best at all-time controls. Look at his record otherwise he wouldn’t have been world champion for so many years,”u00a0he said. u00a0

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!