Anand falls in the last hurdle, Aronian retains the title

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Mainz, Aug 17; The defending champion of Chess World Rapid Title, Levon Aronian defeated Indan Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand in the tie breaks when both the players equalized the score 2:2 after normal 4 games in the final day of the tournament.

Anand lost the first game and drew the next two but came back in the final game to equalize the score and took the defending champion to tie breaks however Anand could not bear the onslaught of Aronian attack and surrendered in the first tie break of the game. In the 2nd game despite having white pieces Anand realized that in no way he can win the game and agreed for a draw and accepted defeat. A dejected Anand left the venue immediately after the prize distribution and even did not attend the press briefing.

''I am happy to retain my title for the 2nd time. It was a tough match and Anand played well but he committed many mistakes in the first game and lost. I lost the 4th game which I could have drawn but I love playing Fischer Random and therefore fought till the last despite knowing that the win is not there.'' Aronian told UNI