Viswanathan Anand capped the year 2017 on a high becoming the World Rapid Championship on Thursday. The 48-year-old defeated Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Fedoseev 2-0 in the tie-break play-off. Earlier, the Indian had stunned World No 1 Magnus Carlsen to avenge his 2013 World Championship loss.
Anand topped the standings with 10.5 points after 15 rounds along with Fedoseev and Ian Nepomniachtchi.
The 48-year-old had come into the World Rapid Championship after a difficult year where he failed to qualify for the Candidates tournament to decide the challenger for the World Championship match against Carlsen and then finished last in the London Chess Classic. To go and win the tournament was a crucial moment for the chess great, who was facing constant calls of retirement.
Thanks all!! Feeling is like floating. My head keeps playing the song... we are the champions! The words ring so true. More on this moment after the blitz!
— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) December 28, 2017
Anand’s triumph was greeted on social media with awe and praise as chess fans hailed the brilliant win. Here’s how Twitter reacted to the Indian’s championship win:
Congratulations to the man from the sixties, @vishy64theking, on his World Rapid title! I hope you dedicated this latest victory to everyone who has asked you when you were going to retire!
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 28, 2017
Congratulations Viswanathan Anand for winning the World Rapid Chess Championship. Such determined pursuit of excellence across decades makes you an inspiration for all of us. India is proud of you #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 29, 2017
CONGRATS @vishy64theking on winning the World Rapid #Chess Championship.
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) December 29, 2017
Your tenacity, mental fortitude and never-give-up attitude is an inspiration to not just chess players, but all sportspersons.
A "brilliant" 11 move strategic draw in final round for Anand + Carlsen losing with white = A Cinderella story for a Legend! He just shredded 20 yrs and showed the youngsters that he is alive and still kicking, once in a while! @worldrapidblitz @FIDE_chess @EuropeEchecs @chessdom pic.twitter.com/fWYkv41gqn
— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) December 28, 2017
World Rapid Champion! Incredible performance by the one and only @vishy64theking. Brilliant games, combative play and strategic decisions. Absolute class! #RiyadhChess
— Tania Sachdev (@TaniaSachdev) December 28, 2017
Old rockers never die! Vishy Anand will be crowned Rapid World Champion 2017. pic.twitter.com/tTIbGUXvPn
— David Llada ♔ (@davidllada) December 28, 2017
The final moments of Anand (@vishy64theking) becoming the 2017 World Rapid Champion! Genuine happiness on his face and then, the fist pump!#RiyadhChess#FollowChess pic.twitter.com/krRPwSjQXH
— Follow Chess (@FollowChessApp) December 28, 2017
Chess legend Viswanathan Anand wins FIDE World Rapid Championship 2017.What an achievement !!!!!The 48 year young Viswanathan Anand again proves that age is not a barrier in sports and age is just a number. pic.twitter.com/xsi5ywZLgi
— tanmoypaul (@tanmoy_sports) December 29, 2017
A big congratulations to the world rapid champion @vishy64theking Last year it was Chuky and this year its Vishy, seems like It's an era of 1969 #WorldRapidChess #RiyadhChess
— Abhijeet Gupta (@iam_abhijeet) December 28, 2017
The king is back.
— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) December 28, 2017
Congratulations @vishy64theking on winning the King Salman World Rapid Chess Championship. pic.twitter.com/tAV6O2dXzc
#ViswanathanAnand wins World Rapid Chess Championship. Congratulations to the man who always make #India proud. Such determined pursuit of excellence across decades makes you an inspiration for all of us. India is proud of you. @vishy64theking pic.twitter.com/hoYZBkhWEb
— Sidharth Nath Singh (@SidharthNSingh) December 29, 2017
#Riyadhchess we have a new world chess champion - and he's an old world chess champion. Congrats, @vishy64theking !
— John Saunders (@johnchess) December 28, 2017