FIDE World Chess Championship 2014
← Previous | Timeline | Next →
The FIDE World Chess Championship 2014 was held in Sochi, Russia, featuring reigning champion Magnus Carlsen (Norway) and challenger Viswanathan Anand (India), who had qualified by winning the 2014 Candidates Tournament. Carlsen retained his title with a final score of 6.5–4.5, securing his second world championship in a match defined by strategic depth and tension.
Photo: Kremlin.ru, “Conversation of participants of the World Cup in chess in Sochi.jpeg”, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0), 25 November 2014.
Winner: Magnus Carlsen
Born: 1990, Tønsberg, Norway
At just 23, Magnus Carlsen was the reigning world champion, having dethroned Anand in 2013. Known for his universal playing style, deep endgame mastery, and psychological toughness, Carlsen’s approach avoided sharp theoretical battles and leaned into grinding out small advantages. In Sochi, he capitalized on minor imprecisions by Anand—most notably in Game 6—and showed poise under pressure. His victory further solidified his dominance over classical chess in the 2010s.
“I was very lucky.“ – Magnus Carlsen
Opponent: Viswanathan Anand
Born: 1969, Chennai, India
A five-time world champion, Viswanathan Anand earned a rematch after convincingly winning the 2014 Candidates Tournament. Known for his fast calculation and deep opening knowledge, Anand aimed to reclaim the crown he had held for much of the previous decade. Despite a well-prepared win in Game 3, he failed to maintain consistency. A critical oversight in Game 11 sealed the outcome. Still, his performance showed his enduring competitiveness at age 44.
“My nerves was the first thing to break. Carlsen’s nerves kept well. He was more stable.” – Viswanathan Anand
Match Overview
Match Dates: November 7–25, 2014 (games played: November 8–23; match decided after Game 11 on November 23)
Location: Sochi, Russia
Format: Best of 12 classical games
Time Control: 120 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 60 minutes for the next 20 moves, then 15 minutes for the rest of the game with a 30-second increment from move 61
Prize Fund: €1 million (60%/40% if decided in classical games; 55%/45% if decided in tie-breaks)
Main Sponsors: Gazprom, Summa Group
Political and Historical Context
Photo: Kremlin.ru, “Closing ceremony World Chess Championship 2014.jpeg”, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0), November 2014.
Held in Sochi’s Olympic Media Center, the 2014 championship unfolded against a backdrop of geopolitical tension following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. President Vladimir Putin attended the closing ceremony, congratulated Carlsen on a deserved victory, and praised Anand for his sporting resistance. In his victory speech, Carlsen focused on thanking the organizers, his team, his family, and Anand, and dedicated the win to chess fans worldwide. The ceremony drew major media attention and underscored Russia’s continued interest in chess as a prestige sport.
World Chess Championships Played by Viswanathan Anand
Viswanathan Anand has competed in numerous World Chess Championships across multiple formats, making him one of the most enduring players in chess history. Below is an overview of his championship matches:
| Year | Event | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | PCA | Kasparov | Lost |
| 1998 | FIDE | Karpov | Lost |
| 2000 | FIDE | Shirov | Won |
| 2001–02 | FIDE | KO | Knocked out |
| 2007 | FIDE | R-R | Won |
| 2008 | FIDE | Kramnik | Won |
| 2010 | FIDE | Topalov | Won |
| 2012 | FIDE | Gelfand | Won |
| 2013 | FIDE | Carlsen | Lost |
| 2014 | FIDE | Carlsen | Lost |
FIDE World Chess Championship 2014 Games
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
Game 5
Game 6
Game 7
Game 8
Game 9
Game 10
Game 11
FIDE World Chess Championship 2014
Magnus Carlsen, Norway
← Previous | Timeline | Next →
FIDE World Chess Championship 2014 Sources
Quote Sources
- ChessBase: Quote from Game 6
- NTB Local: Sochi Russia
General Sources
- The Week in Chess: Detailed report on the closing ceremony.
- FIDE Archives: Official Event Reports
- NRK: Behind-the-scenes look at Carlsen’s mindset and struggles during the championship.
- Aftenposten: Report on Putin’s remarks about Carlsen.
- VG: Report on the closing ceremony and Putin’s attendance.
- New in Chess Magazine: Issue 8/2014 (print)
- Le Monde: “Carlsen-Anand à Sotchi” (in French)
- Wikipedia:
Last updated: 11 January 2026