Anand has ended Russian domination in Chess, says second Surya

Kolkata: As Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand became the World champion for the fifth time, GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly who has been second for last four years described the Indian ace as the India`s "best sportperson" and someone who has ended Russian domination in the sport.

Speaking from Moscow from Moscow minutes after Anand won the title, Surya said "It`s game where 180 countries compete. Coming from a third world country, Anand has been successful by ending the Russian dominance in chess. He is the undisputed king in sport." "We can say this is the best win for Anand. Our six months` preparation was successful. By winning the title fifth time, Anand once again proved himself to be the best sportperson from India." "(Boris) Gelfand was extremely well-prepared. We had never seen few of the moves he tried out during the course of the matches," Surya, who has been aware of Anand`s practice pattern since 2008, said about the fine start by the Israeli. Unbeaten since the Biel IZT in 1993 with a 6-5 overall record against Gelfand, Anand was on the backfoot after the Israeli began well in the championship drawing first six round and then winning the seventh one. "We were really under pressure (after the start). He sparkled in the initial rounds and was simply magnificent." But the 42-year-old bounced back, winning the eighth round but a series of four draws meant that the issue moved to tie-breaker after a 6-6 stalemate. Anand beat Gelfand 2.5-1.5 in rapid chess tie-breaker in which the Chennai stalwart displayed amazing calmness, he said. "We had better ideas in tie-breaker. Especially in the third round, when Gelfand had the edge but Anand held his nerves. He once again proved his supremancy in the rapid format," he added. PTI