New World chess champ takes home over Rs 9 crore prize money

Chennai: Newly-crowned world chess champion Magnus Carlsen today took home a prize money of Rs 9.90 crore after he beat India`s Viswanathan Anand in a keenly watched contest that spanned over 10 days.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa gave away the prize money and trophies to the Norwegian sensation and the Indian veteran at a short ceremony here that lasted about ten minutes. Carlsen, the second youngest player after Garry Kasparov to win the coveted chess title, was awarded a gold-plated trophy, whose design was handpicked by Jayalalithaa, gold medal and an olive garland (wreath) at the private hotel where the two players had vied for the championship last week. Anand, a five time world champion whose title was wrested by the young challenger with a stupendous 6.5-3.5 score, had to settle for the runner-up prize money of Rs 6.03 crore, a silver plaque and silver medal. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov presented the respective medals to Carlsen and Anand. The olive wreath, presented to Carlsen, was made of olive leaves from Nilgiris in the state.