The World Chess Championship Is Over

It was never likely that Viswanathan Anand, the defending champion, would beat Magnus Carlsen, the 22-year-old challenger, three times in a row to save his title.  In fact, I don't think Carlsen has ever been in much danger throughout this match.  And while Anand gave it everything he had with the black pieces in Game Ten, he never put Carlsen in much danger.  After 65 moves, the match was drawn, and Carlsen had the 6 1/2 points he needed to replace Anand as the World Chess Champion.

So Carlsen, who was already the number 1-ranked player in the world, has become the 16th undisputed World Chess Champion.  Here's the list:

1.  Wilhelm Steinetz (Austria-Hungary) (1886-94)
2.  Emanuel Lasker (Germany) (1894-1921)
3.  Jose Raul Capablanca (Cuba) (1921-27)
4.  Alexander Alekhine (Russian emigrant living in France) (1927-35, 1937-46)
5.  Max Euwe (Netherlands) (1935-37)
6.  Mikhail Botvinnik (USSR) (1948-57, 1958-60, 1961-63)
7.  Vasily Smyslov (USSR) (1957-58)
8.  Mikhail Tal (USSR) (1960-61)
9.  Tigran Petrosian (USSR) (1963-69)
10.  Boris Spassky (USSR) (1969-72)
11.  Bobby Fischer (USA) (1972-75)
12.  Anatoly Karpov (USSR) (1975-85)
13.  Garry Kasparov (USSR, Russia) (1985-93)

No unified title from 1993-2006

14.  Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) (2006-07)
15.  Viswanathan Anand (India) (2007-13)
16.  Magnus Carlsen (Norway) (2013-)

Anand has been a great champion, but no one can begrudge Carlsen his title.  Almost nothing is more exciting in sports than the rise of a new, young player who proves himself to be the best in the world.  We will watch Magnus Carlsen with interest, and we wish him all the best.