FIDE World Chess Championship 2012

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The FIDE World Chess Championship 2012 was held at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia, and featured reigning champion Viswanathan Anand (India) defending his title against challenger Boris Gelfand (Israel). Anand emerged victorious after a tense match that was decided in the rapid tiebreaks.

FIDE World Chess Championship 2012, Viswanathan Anand, Boris Gelfand

📷 Rodrigo Fernández: (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.

Winner: Viswanathan Anand

Born: 1969, Chennai, India

At the time of the 2012 championship, Viswanathan Anand had already secured his legacy with three successful title defenses in 2008, 2010, and now 2012. Renowned for his tactical intuition, speed, and adaptability across formats, Anand had evolved from a rapid specialist into a formidable force in classical play. The Moscow match tested his resilience more than his brilliance, as the classical portion ended evenly. It was in the rapid tiebreaks where Anand showed his enduring strength, calmly exploiting Gelfand’s minor inaccuracies. Though criticized for his conservative approach during the classical games, Anand’s match preparation, psychological stability, and rapid skills were pivotal. This win marked his fifth World Championship title.

«Defending the title was about finding calm in critical moments. The rapid tiebreaks required nerves of steel.» – Viswanathan Anand

Opponent: Boris Gelfand

Born: 1968, Minsk, Soviet Union (now Belarus)

Boris Gelfand earned his place in the 2012 World Championship by winning the 2011 Candidates Tournament in Kazan. A veteran grandmaster with deep roots in the Soviet chess school, Gelfand was respected for his opening preparation, strategic depth, and endgame technique. Despite being considered an underdog, Gelfand surprised many with his preparation and sharpness, including a notable win in Game 7. His victory demonstrated that age and style were no barrier to excellence at the highest level. While his loss in the rapid tiebreaks cost him the title, his performance won him admiration and marked the high point of a long and distinguished career.

«I have always believed in playing principled chess. To fight for the world title was a lifetime achievement.» – Boris Gelfand

Match Overview

🗓️ Match Dates: May 10 – May 30, 2012
📍 Location: Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia
✅ Format: Best of 12 classical games + 4 rapid tiebreaks
⏱️ Time Control: Classical: 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 60 minutes for the next 20 moves, followed by 15 minutes for the rest of the game with a 30-second increment from move 61; Rapid: 25 minutes plus 10-second increment
💰 Prize Fund: €2.55 million (shared 55%–45%)
📄 Main Sponsor: Russian Chess Federation

Historical and Cultural Context

The 2012 World Chess Championship unfolded in a politically stable but culturally resonant setting—Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery, a symbol of Russian national heritage. The match drew considerable attention from chess enthusiasts and cultural commentators alike, due in part to the artistic backdrop and the global stature of the players. While the classical portion drew criticism for its cautious nature, the tension and quality of the rapid tiebreaks underscored the increasing importance of faster time controls in world title play. Gelfand’s underdog performance reinvigorated interest among veteran players, while Anand’s steady hand reinforced his status as one of the great champions of the modern era.

FIDE World Chess Championship 2012, Viswanathan Anand (IND), Boris Gelfand (IND)

FIDE World Chess Championship 2012 Games

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

Game 11

Game 12

Game 13

Game 14

Game 15

Game 16

FIDE World Chess Championship 2012

Viswanathan Anand, India

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FIDE World Chess Championship 2012 Sources

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General Sources


Photo Credits

📷 Borís Gélfand y Vishy Anand durante el Campeonato Mundial 2012
Rodrigo Fernández: (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons, 10 May 2012.

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.