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.
📷 Kremlin.ru: (CC BY 4.0 International) via Wikimedia Commons, 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 don’t look at myself as the defender of a title, but as someone trying to win another match.» – 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.
«You have to keep reinventing yourself in chess. The game evolves, and you must evolve with it.» – Viswanathan Anand
Match Overview
🗓️ Match Dates: November 7 – November 28, 2014
📍 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% to the winner, 40% to the runner-up)
📄 Main Sponsors: Gazprom, Summa Group
Political and Historical Context
📷 Kremlin.ru: (CC BY 4.0 International) via Wikimedia Commons, 25 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 and praised both players. Notably, Carlsen’s victory speech omitted any mention of Putin, a gesture widely commented upon in Norwegian and international media. Despite limited Western presence, the match received strong Russian support and symbolized the state’s interest in retaining chess prestige.
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 | KO |
| 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
- Magnus Carlsen: «World Championship Reflections» — Insights into his title defense.
- Viswanathan Anand: Post-Match Press Conferences (FIDE).
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:
Photo Credits
📷 Церемония закрытия матча за звание Чемпиона мира по шахматам 2014. Сочи, главный медиацентр в Олимпийском парке
Kremlin.ru: (CC BY 4.0 International) via Wikimedia Commons, November 2014.
📷 Беседа участников матча за звание чемпиона мира по шахматам 2014. Сочи.
Kremlin.ru: (CC BY 4.0 International) via Wikimedia Commons, 25 November 2014.
Sources, image credits, and attributions for this championship are listed on this page. For general information about the World Chess Champions timeline, visit the main page.