Carlsen to challenge Anand

Norwegian Magnus Carlsen has qualified to challenge world champion Viswanathan Anand of India in a match for the ultimate chess crown. Carlsen, who has sponsorship deals and a blog at Arctic Securities, had already climbed to the top of the rating list and became the highest rated player in history this year at a young age of 22. The candidates tournaments in London, England was an 8 player double round robin of 14 rounds. The now 23 year old won the event on better tiebreaks despite finishing level on points with former world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia.

Carlsen must be elated with the result but can count his blessing as nerves clearly got to the former prodigy in the final rounds. He was also under pressure in both games against Kramnik but managed to hold draws by the skin of his teeth. Both players finished with a plus 3 score but Carlsen scored more victories. In the final round Carlsen lost with white against Peter Svidler who climbed to +2 to take third place honours but his loss was soon followed by the defeat of Kramnik at the hands of the enigmatic Vassily Ivanchuk who alternated brilliant games such as his round 12 trounsing of Carlsen with perplexing losses on time.

Chess world has been in tatters in recent years and for long it seemed as though Carlsen would be out of the cycle altogether this time around. His victory in this event provides an opportunity for a breath of fresh air. The super talent is hugely popular in Norway, being one of the most recognizable faces around.